Brian Lowery

In this engaging discussion, Michelle Gelfand, a cross-cultural management expert, delves into the dynamics of negotiation and the impact of cultural tightness versus looseness on behavior. Brian Lowery unpacks the societal implications of racial perceptions and the quest for meaning beyond achievements. Deborah Gruenfeld shares insights on power dynamics and personal presence, while Zakary Tormala explores the art of persuasion and the significance of word choice. This lively panel offers rich perspectives for enhancing communication skills and understanding diverse environments.

Brian Lowery, a social psychologist and professor at Stanford, dives into the idea that our identities are shaped by relationships and cultural contexts, arguing there's no fixed 'self.' He discusses how personal interactions can both constrain and enrich our identities. Lowery shares insights on deepening connections through vulnerability and curiosity, providing strategies for meaningful conversations. He also emphasizes the importance of embracing change as part of our evolving self. Prepare for an engaging exploration of how we define ourselves through others!

Three things generate a sense of meaning IN life; Coherence - can you make sense of the world? Purpose - do you feel a sense of purpose with what you do? And Significance - does your life matter? Having meaning in your life is correlated with a sense of self certainty. Knowing who you are and having a sense of self, gives you structure and a stable way of seeing the world.   But how do you answer the question “who am I?” Our guest, Dr Brian Lowery PhD says the answer isn’t as individualistic as we may have been led to believe. Not only do those around us; our friends, co-workers and parents contribute to who we are, Brian claims they actually create who we are. Putting it bluntly, there is no way of separating “you” from your relationships.   We’ve waited a long time to talk to Brian, who is the Walter Kenneth Kilpatrick Professor of Organizational Behavior at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He is a social psychologist by training, but Brian’s work is by no means traditional in that field. He studies how individuals perceive inequality, and his research explores individuals' experiences of inequality and fairness in a way that sheds light on intergroup conflict and the nature of social justice. Brian is also a fellow podcaster, hosting the show Know What You See which is definitely worth checking out.   Listeners can become a Behavioral Grooves supporter by donating to our work through Patreon. Or please consider writing us a podcast review on your app. Thanks!   Topics (5:21) Welcome to Brian Lowery and speed round questions. (7:34) The meaning IN life vs. the meaning OF life. (9:23) How meaning in life is linked to a sense of self certainty. (13:30) Context matters: those around us create who we are. (17:13) What are you referring to when you talk about you? (19:23) The responsibility we have when interacting with others.  (21:27) Does authenticity assume a stability of self? (26:17) Our relationships define us while also limiting our freedom. (30:59) The myth of rugged individualism. (36:35) Do we really have freewill? (42:06) What Brian talks about on his podcast, Know What You See. (43:42) What role does music play in the identity of self? (51:43) Grooving Session with Kurt and Tim discussing the meaning in life.   © 2022 Behavioral Grooves   Links Know What You See Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/know-what-you-see-with-brian-lowery/id1580636076  Monty Python’s The Meaning Of Life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAwDWZoETk4&ab_channel=MontyPython  Episode 67, George Loewenstein: On a Functional Theory of Boredom: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/george-loewenstein-on-a-functional-theory-of-boredom/  Episode 248, John Bargh: Do We Control Situations or Do Situations Control Us? https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/control-situations-with-john-bargh/  Kimberle Crenshaw: https://www.law.columbia.edu/faculty/kimberle-w-crenshaw  Episode 307, Groove Track | Mind Over Milkshakes: Why Expectations Matter A Lot: https://behavioralgrooves.com/episode/mind-over-milkshakes-groove-track/  Behavioral Grooves Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/behavioralgrooves   Musical Links Killer Mike “Untitled”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNsAfGDkUtk   

Daniel Pink, going through an existential crisis, discusses Brian Lowery's book on the social creation of self and its impact on society. They challenge conventional beliefs about self, explore the complexity of identity and race, discuss the socially determined and ever-changing nature of our core self, and delve into the concept of freedom. They also analyze the impact of ostracism and the power of interactions and acts of kindness.

You are not autonomous. You are not an island unto yourself. You, my friend, are a social construct. The “self” you haul around — that yammering voice in your head — was entirely shaped by your relationships and social interactions. That may be upsetting for "you" to hear. But our guest today, Brian Lowery, prefers to see it as pleasantly humbling because if you can learn to let go of the idea that you have an essential self, you can embrace a more expansive view of who you are and who you can be.Brian Lowery is a professor of organizational behavior at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. His new book is “Selfless: The Social Creation of ‘You.’”---• We just released an original audiobook written and read by Steven Johnson. It's called "Immortality: A User's Guide," and you can download it now!