Freakonomics Radio

469. The U.S. Is Just Different — So Let’s Stop Pretending We’re Not

70 snips
Jul 15, 2021
Michelle Gelfand, a cross-cultural psychology professor, and Joe Henrich, an expert in human evolutionary biology, explore the complexities of American culture. They discuss how U.S. rugged individualism complicates the adoption of foreign policies. The duo dives into 'tight' versus 'loose' cultural norms, revealing how these impact behaviors like addiction and innovation. They also analyze American individualism, contrasting it with global perspectives, while injecting humor about the essence of being American. Relevant anecdotes and eye-opening insights abound!
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ANECDOTE

Caning in Singapore

  • American teenager Michael Fay was caned for vandalism in Singapore.
  • This caused an international crisis, highlighting cultural differences in punishment.
INSIGHT

Tight vs. Loose Cultures

  • Cultures have social norms, but their adherence varies.
  • Tight cultures strictly enforce norms, while loose cultures are more permissive.
INSIGHT

Threat and Tightness

  • Chronic threats like disasters or invasions influence cultural tightness.
  • Countries facing more threats tend to develop stricter rules for better coordination.
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