Hidden Brain Win Hearts, Then Minds + Your Questions Answered on Identity and "Covering"
Jun 23, 2025
Rob Willer, a sociologist at Stanford, and Kenji Yoshino, a legal scholar at NYU, delve into the art of persuasion and the intricacies of identity. They explore the psychology behind winning arguments and emphasize the importance of empathy in bridging political divides. With insights on 'covering,' Yoshino shares how societal pressures affect authenticity. The duo discusses effective protest tactics and the significance of understanding differing viewpoints, urging listeners to engage in open conversations to enrich their perspectives.
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Roommate Noise Conflict
- Rob Willer shares a heated conflict with his roommate over noise in the morning which escalated quickly.
- His emotional outburst highlighted how anger can make conflict resolution self-defeating.
Empathy through Perspective-Taking
- Rob reflects on a college assignment to write from the perspective of someone he conflicted with.
- This exercise led him to a profound understanding and empathy for his roommate's experience.
Subjectivity of Perspectives
- Our perspectives are subjective and limited by our unique experiences.
- True understanding requires accessing different worlds of information and viewpoint.
