
No Stupid Questions
63. How Contagious Is Behavior? With Laurie Santos of “The Happiness Lab.” (Replay)
Dec 31, 2023
Laurie Santos, a Yale psychology professor and host of "The Happiness Lab," joins to discuss intriguing topics about human behavior and happiness. They explore why we unconsciously mimic others, like adopting accents or gestures. Santos delves into the paradox of success, revealing why achieving goals often leads to dissatisfaction. This conversation also unpacks the hedonic treadmill, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness and gratitude in cultivating happiness. It's a thought-provoking look at how our behaviors can shape our emotional well-being.
36:30
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Quick takeaways
- Humans naturally mimic behaviors of others, contributing to social bonding and group cohesion.
- Mirroring the accents and mannerisms of others helps establish rapport and connection in multicultural environments.
Deep dives
The Power of Behavioral Contagion
Humans naturally mimic the behaviors of others, a phenomenon known as behavioral contagion. This innate tendency is observed in various animals as well. Researchers have found that people unconsciously imitate the actions and mannerisms of those around them, especially high-status individuals. This behavioral contagion contributes to social bonding and group cohesion.
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