The Power of Us: Harnessing Our Shared Identities for Personal and Collective Success

Description

If you're like most people, you probably believe that your identity is stable. But in fact, your identity is constantly changing - often outside your conscious awareness and sometimes even against your wishes - to reflect the interests of the groups of which you're a part. And that fluid identity has a powerful influence over your feelings, beliefs, and behaviours. In THE POWER OF US, psychologists Packer and Van Bavel integrate their own cutting-edge research in psychology, neuroscience and economics to explain what identity really is and show how to harness its dynamic nature to: Increase our productivity - Improve physical and psychological health - Overcome our individual prejudice - Unlock our altruism - Break the political gridlock - Galvanize others to solve controversial global problems Along the way, they explain such seemingly unrelated phenomenon as why men cry at football games but not funerals, why the history of slavery in U.S. counties is one of the best predictors of current day racism, and why Canada keeps a national reserve of maple syrup. Packed with fascinating insights, vivid case studies, and pioneering research, THE POWER OF US will change the way you understand yourself - and those around you - forever.

Dominic Packer is a Professor of Psychology at Lehigh University, and the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs in Arts & Sciences. Much of his research investigates how and why people decide to dissent from their groups, as well as to cooperate with members of other groups. Dr. Packer's writing has appeared in Scientific American Mind, the Washington Post, and Harvard Business Review, and for a time he had a popular blog entitled "It's a Group Life" at Psychology Today. His research has been covered by international media outlets (including the New York Times, the Washington Post, BBC, Daily Telegraph and Psychology Today). He regularly teaches a range of courses, from some of the largest lecture courses at his university to intimate seminars on identity and social change. Jay Van Bavel is an Associate Professor of Psychology and Neural Science at New York University and is affiliated with Management and Organizations in the STERN School of Business. His research draws on everything from neuroscience to social networks to examine how our group identities shape our perceptions and actions. Dr. Van Bavel's writing has appeared in the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review and the Washington Post. He has given a TEDx talk and appeared on Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman, as well as Al Jazeera, CBC, Bloomberg News, and The Wall Street Journal.

Better than I have ever seen, The Power of Us assesses the influence of tribalism on our actions and specifies ways to turn the force from destructive to constructive. A truly important booK. * Robert Cialdini, author of INFLUENCE AND PRE-SUASION * As American politics shifts from fights over ideology and policies to conflict over basic identities, we increasingly need help from social psychologists to understand what is going on. The Power of Us is an excellent resource in filling this urgent need. * Francis Fukuyama, author of IDENTITY * The Power of Us is a fascinating journey into the science of identity. If you've ever struggled to understand why people join cults or mindlessly conform - or wondered how to build great teams and influence better choices - this is the book you need. It is a practical, entertaining and, above all, vital guide to human behaviour. * Charles Duhigg, bestselling author of THE POWER OF HABIT and SMARTER FASTER BETTER * The Power of Us is an endlessly entertaining and critically important book, written by two masters of their field. Delivered with lucidity and pace, it reveals the enormous power social identity has over our individual behaviour, and how it shapes the world of politics, business, social justice - and pretty much everything else * Will Storr * In the 21st century, politics and social life have shifted to become ever more about identity. Those who read this book will understand the deep psychology of identity, and will therefore be less bewildered and more successful-not just in politics but in leadership of any kind, and even in the whirling identity pool of social media. * Jonathan Haidt, author of THE RIGHTEOUS MIND, co-author of THE CODDLING OF THE AMERICAN MIND * Riveting and revelatory, splendidly written and filled with fascinating studies, The Power of Us shines a new, thought-provoking, and ultimately hopeful light on so much that is confusing and dismaying about our fraught world today * Amy Chua, author of BATTLE HYMN OF THE TIGER MOTHER AND POLTICAL TRIBES: Group Instinct and the Fate of Nations * Who am I? Is there anyone who hasn't asked themselves this question? But Jay Van Bavel and Dominic Packer have not only asked themselves this question, they've studied the psychology of identity for years and, as leaders in the field, have produced an authoritative guide that is remarkably accessible, actionable, and a pure joy to read! * Angela Lee Duckworth, author of GRIT *