Book Club with Michael Smerconish cover image

Book Club with Michael Smerconish

Amy Chua & Jed Rubenfeld: "The Triple Package"

Feb 27, 2023
Join Yale professors Amy Chua, known for her work on cultural success, and Jed Rubenfeld, her collaborator on the dynamics of cultural groups in America, as they explore their compelling concept of the 'triple package'. They dive into how a mix of superiority complex, impulse control, and insecurity drives success in certain communities. The discussion also touches on the effects of globalization on cultural identity, the unique challenges faced by immigrant families, and how cultural values influence perceptions of achievement in today's world.
16:09

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The 'triple package' traits of superiority, insecurity, and impulse control are crucial for the success of certain cultural groups in America.
  • The podcast highlights how these traits tend to diminish across generations, leading to a decline in academic performance among third-generation immigrants.

Deep dives

Understanding the Triple Package Traits

The concept of the 'triple package' focuses on three traits: a superiority complex, insecurity, and impulse control, which the authors argue help certain cultural groups succeed in America. These traits contribute to upward mobility, enabling individuals from humble beginnings to achieve significant financial and professional success. The authors emphasize that while income and educational attainment serve as measurable indicators of success, the true definition encompasses achieving personal goals, whatever they may be. Cultural groups such as Jewish, Indian, and Nigerian Americans are highlighted as examples of those who have effectively harnessed these qualities to outpace the national average.

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