Social Psychology Won't Save Us

Social Psychology Won't Save Us

When it comes to proposed solutions to life's problems, whether on an individual or societal scale, the four most commonly used words these days are "According to a study . . . " This phrase is used by journalists and media outlets; we certainly use it a lot in AoM articles. And it's used in the rationales that are forwarded for implementing some new program in a school or other institution.

My guest, however, questions whether we really should be lending the research of social psychologists and behavioral scientists so much weight.

His name is Jesse Singal and he's the author of The Quick Fix: Why Fad Psychology Can't Cure Our Social Ills. Today on the show, Jesse explains how social psychology has come to such prominence in our culture, the role things like TED talks have played in its rise, and yet how the replication crisis calls into question the legitimacy of the field's growing influence. We discuss why the solutions sometimes offered by behavioral science are both seductive and flawed, and how this dynamic played out in the self-esteem movement of the 1990s. We then discuss if another fad of social science, power posing, actually works, before turning to how the problems of positive psychology are exemplified in a program the military adopted to help soldiers with PTSD. We end our conversation with whether the idea of grit is all it's cracked up to be, and how ultimately, there are no quick fixes to life's big problems.

Get the show notes at aom.is/quickfix.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jaksot(1159)

How to Use Leverage Points to Get Unstuck in Work and Life

How to Use Leverage Points to Get Unstuck in Work and Life

When people get stuck in their job or personal life, the common response is to either work harder or shrug and accept that "that's just the way things are."My guest today has a much better solution to...

21 Tammi 202550min

Stop Saying Um (And Fix the Other Vocal Tics That Are Sabotaging Your Speaking)

Stop Saying Um (And Fix the Other Vocal Tics That Are Sabotaging Your Speaking)

Think about a time you've had to speak in front of others — maybe during a work presentation, a wedding toast, or even on a first date. Did you struggle with using too many filler words, such as "um" ...

14 Tammi 202548min

Man's Search for Meaning, With Viktor Frankl's Grandson

Man's Search for Meaning, With Viktor Frankl's Grandson

I first read Man's Search for Meaning by the neurologist, psychologist, and philosopher Viktor Frankl in high school, and I have re-read it several times since. It's one of the books that's had the bi...

7 Tammi 202556min

How to Hack the Habit Loop to Build a Better Life

How to Hack the Habit Loop to Build a Better Life

Think about your habits, the things you do automatically without much thought — from brushing your teeth in the morning to scrolling social media before bed.There’s a lot going on with these behaviors...

30 Joulu 202449min

Philosophical Tools for Living the Good Life

Philosophical Tools for Living the Good Life

Note: This is a rebroadcast.Most everyone wants to live a good, meaningful life, though we don’t always know what that means and how to do it. Plenty of modern self-improvement programs claim to point...

25 Joulu 20241h 2min

The 6 Principles for Writing Messages People Won't Swipe Away

The 6 Principles for Writing Messages People Won't Swipe Away

Think of all the texts, emails, and social media posts you're inundated with each day. Sometimes you read them, and sometimes you swipe them away, telling yourself, perhaps not so honestly, that you'l...

23 Joulu 202448min

The Swiss Army Knife of Fitness — How to Get Lean, Strong, and Flexible With Kettlebells Alone

The Swiss Army Knife of Fitness — How to Get Lean, Strong, and Flexible With Kettlebells Alone

What if there was one piece of fitness equipment that was affordable, didn’t take up much space, could get you both strong and flexible, and was fun to use?While that might sound too good to be true, ...

18 Joulu 202450min

The Roman Caesars' Guide to Ruling

The Roman Caesars' Guide to Ruling

The Roman caesars were the rulers of the Roman Empire, beginning in 27 BC with Julius Caesar’s heir Augustus, from whom subsequent caesars took their name, and lasting until around the fall of the Wes...

16 Joulu 202457min

Suosittua kategoriassa Koulutus

rss-murhan-anatomia
psykopodiaa-podcast
voi-hyvin-meditaatiot-2
rss-narsisti
adhd-podi
rss-liian-kuuma-peruna
rss-rahamania
psykologia
rss-niinku-asia-on
kesken
rss-duodecim-lehti
rss-valo-minussa-2
rss-tietoinen-yhteys-podcast-2
leikitaanko-laakaria
ihminen-tavattavissa-tommy-hellsten-instituutti
puhutaan-koiraa
jari-sarasvuo-podcast
rss-hereilla
dreamtalk
rss-kohti-tasapainoista-ja-lempeaa-elamaa