Politics on the Couch

Rafael Behr talks to behavioural scientist Dr Michael Hallsworth about his new book, “The Hypocrisy Trap: How Changing What We Criticise Can Improve Our Lives.”They discuss:How the concept of hypocrisy first emerged as part of an evolutionary status game; How calling others out can be more powerful than proclaiming our own virtue; Why we might tolerate some ‘polite’ hypocrisy at home but not in Westminster;How hypocrisy is an inescapable part of any ‘civilisation, according to Sigmund Freud;Should we be more discerning in the types we call out, but much tougher on the ‘double standards’ hypocrisy that corrodes trust, fairness and the basic promise that citizens stand equal before the law?Dr Michael Hallsworth is Chief Behavioural Scientist at the Behavioural Insights Team (BIT) in the Americas, where he applies behavioural science to policy, organisational design and real‑world behavioural change. He describes himself as someone “helping people apply behavioural science to real‑world problems.” At BIT, Michael has led numerous projects spanning government and private sector domains, bridging rigorous academic research with operational behavioural insight. More information about Dr Michael Hallsworth and his new book:https://www.michaelhallsworth.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Politics feels angrier, harsher and more tribal than it used to - but how much of the blame can be laid at the door of social media?Rafael Behr talks to NYU Psychologist Professor Jay Van Bavel, about how our ancient group instincts collide with 'god-like' digital technology to distort what we see, reward outrage, and erode trust in democratic institutions. Drawing on datasets of millions of social media posts, Professor Van Bavel discusses how; a tiny minority can dominate the online political conversation; platforms can make people seem more extreme, and silence the moderate voices. He also discusses what can be done about it; from redesigning incentives and rebuilding solidarity across group lines; to the small, practical choices individuals can make to resist the pull of performative moral outrage.Jay Van Bavel's professional website - with links to academic papershttps://www.jayvanbavel.comInside the funhouse mirror factory: How social media distorts perceptions of normshttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352250X24001313How to strengthen democracyhttps://news.stanford.edu/stories/2022/08/how-to-strengthen-democracyHeineken Adverthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3a8MdloAAM&themeRefresh=1 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rafael Behr talks to Dr. Tessa Buchanan, a former civil servant and now an academic at Cambridge’s Political Psychology Lab, about the psychology behind changing how some voters think about outsiders or immigrants, revealing why she believes attitudes aren’t always as fixed or hostile as they may seem.From the media’s obsession with “small boats” to conflicting anxieties about national identity, Rafael and Tessa discuss how easy is it to move public opinion, and so public policy, on a topic that has dominated political debate in the UK, EU and US for almost a decade.Links to topics mentioned in the podcast How an authoritarianism-compatible text changes British attitudes towards EU immigration Study from Cambridge University Political Psychology Lab2019 YouGov survey looking at EU immigration2024 US survey pre-Presidential electionCambridge University Political Psychology LabPodcasts mentionedRafael Behr and Karen Stennerhttps://shows.acast.com/politicsonthecouch/episodes/theauthoritatianpersonalitywithkarenstennerRafael Behr and Dr Lee de-Withttps://shows.acast.com/politicsonthecouch/episodes/theleftstroublewithconnectingwithsocialonservatives Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Polly Curtis, CEO of Demos and former journalist, dives into the democratic crisis gripping Britain. She discusses the growing distrust between citizens and institutions and the rise of populism. Curtis highlights the urgent need for innovative participation methods like citizens' assemblies to enhance engagement. She also emphasizes the importance of local community trust, showcasing how grassroots movements can rejuvenate democracy. With a focus on bridging the gap between voters and politicians, this conversation sparks hope for revitalizing democratic structures.

In this engaging discussion, Professor Michael Bang Petersen, a political scientist from Aarhus University with a focus on evolutionary psychology, sheds light on why some voters are drawn to chaos. He argues that many who share misinformation are politically savvy and motivated by the potential to disrupt political systems. The conversation reveals how status anxiety fuels this desire for instability, while economic inequality and the search for community further empower those embracing political chaos. Petersen opens a window into the complex interplay between chaos, order, and voter psychology.

A conversation between Rafael Behr and writer and broadcaster David Aaronovitch, about ripples from the pandemic that still shape politics, with a digression on the ways that Britain is not America and whether that makes 'Maga-populism' less contagious.LinksDavid Aaronovitch's substack - https://davidaaronovitch.substack.comBBC's Briefing Room presented by David Aaronovitch - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002bj77This is a Behr and Berman podcast production Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reflecting on five years of political insights, the hosts delve into the psychology behind authoritarianism and populism. They analyze the impact of fear on voter turnout and the challenges faced by liberal parties. The discussion includes the ethical dilemmas of psychoanalyzing political figures and the dark allure of charismatic leaders. They also emphasize the importance of maintaining mental hygiene in the age of negative online discourse, advocating for cognitive empathy as a tool to navigate differing political perspectives.

Dr. Leor Zmigrod, a political psychologist and neuroscientist, dives into the neurological factors behind dogmatic thinking in this engaging discussion. She explores why certain individuals are more prone to radicalization, examining how personality traits and social dynamics play a role. Zmigrod highlights the dangers of conspiracy theories and the influence of social media on ideological rigidity, especially among youth. Additionally, she emphasizes the need for cognitive flexibility as a crucial tool in combating radical beliefs and fostering open-mindedness.

In a thought-provoking conversation, Professor Paula Surridge, an expert in political sociology from the University of Bristol, discusses the increasing fragmentation of voter support in the UK since Brexit. She explores the rise of Reform UK and the vulnerabilities of its supporters. The role of tactical voting and how the Liberal Democrats are capitalizing on this shift is examined. Surridge also delves into the challenges the Conservative Party faces with its identity amid changing voter expectations and the impact of non-voters on the electoral landscape.

Host Rafael Behr talks to author, policy expert and podcaster Sam Freedman about his new book Failed State: Why Nothing Works and How We Fix ItSam Freedman is a senior fellow at the Institute for Government and an Ark Schools adviser. He writes about policy and politics for numerous outlets, including the Financial Times, Sunday Times, Guardian and New Statesman. With his father, he runs ‘Comment is Freed’, Britain’s most popular politics Substack. He has spent his career working in different policy-focused roles around Westminster, including as an adviser to the then opposition leader, David Cameron, and as a senior policy adviser at the Department for Education for three years, working with (friends of the podcast) Michael Gove and Dominic Cummings. Feedspot has chosen Politics on the Couch as one of the Top 25 UK Psychology and Political Science Podcasts on the web.https://blog.feedspot.com/uk_psychology_podcastshttps://blog.feedspot.com/political_science_podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.