Hidden Brain The Power of Family Stories
Nov 25, 2024
Robyn Fivush, a psychologist at Emory University, discusses the profound impact family stories have on our identities and mental health. She explores how these narratives connect generations and foster emotional resilience, particularly for children. Fivush introduces the 'Do You Know Scale' to measure family engagement in storytelling, highlighting the significance of both joyful and challenging experiences. The conversation dives into the healing power of sharing memories and the invaluable role of unsung heroes within family stories.
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The Barber and the Wedding
- Shankar Vedantam's uncle forgot to invite his barber to his wedding.
- He detoured to the barber shop, causing a delay and alarm among guests.
Early Life Tragedies
- Robyn Fivush's early life was marked by her father's death and her mother's severe car accident.
- These tragedies and her family's avoidance of discussing them influenced her interest in memory.
Discovering Family Stories
- Fivush realized the importance of family storytelling through her husband's family.
- They frequently shared stories, both mundane and significant, strengthening family bonds.