

Mates vs strangers — why humans connect and divide
22 snips Sep 21, 2024
Mark Williams, a cognitive neuroscientist and author, dives deep into how our brains are wired to both connect and divide. He explores the social dynamics of adolescence, touching on the evolutionary roots of in-group biases and the impact of bullying. Williams emphasizes the need to unlearn cultural biases and advocates for diverse representations in children's media. He also discusses the dark side of social media, revealing how it fosters superficial connections and exacerbates mental health issues, calling for societal change to promote authentic relationships.
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Bullying Incident
- Dr. Mark Williams recounts an experience in his rough high school in Colac, Victoria.
- A new Canadian student was brutally bullied due to his accent and difference, leading his family to leave town after just a week.
In-Group Bias
- Humans are predisposed to in-group bias, perceiving in-group members more positively.
- This includes perceiving their attractiveness, words, and facial expressions more favorably, while also being more alert to out-group members.
Face Template Theory
- Our brains use a face template, an average of all faces seen, to identify individuals.
- Faces similar to this template are perceived as more like us, while dissimilar faces can trigger a fight-or-flight response.