All In The Mind The human drive to connect – and divide
Apr 29, 2023
This podcast explores the human drive to form groups and the impact it has on our perceptions and attitudes towards others. It delves into the origins of racism and sexism, the benefits of belonging to a group, the negative impact of social media on our well-being, and the lasting impact of bullying.
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School Bullying Impact
- Mark Williams recalls bullying a new Canadian student in a rough Australian town, leading to the student's quick departure.
- This experience deeply affected him, shaping his reflections on in-group and out-group dynamics.
Brain's In-Group Bias
- Our brains evolved to quickly identify in-group members for survival, triggering automatic trust or stress responses.
- This rapid assessment biases us toward favoring those similar to us, affecting perceptions of emotions and trustworthiness.
Face Templates and Bias
- Our brains use an average face template based on familiar faces to recognize individuals.
- Faces dissimilar to this template trigger stress responses, explaining biases against unfamiliar races.