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The Power of Us

Harnessing Our Shared Identities to Improve Performance, Increase Cooperation, and Promote Social Harmony

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The Power of Us

By: Jay J. Van Bavel PhD, Dominic J. Packer PhD
Narrated by: Jay J. Van Bavel PhD, Dominic J. Packer PhD, Terrence Kidd
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About this listen

A revolutionary new understanding of identity, showing how our groups have a powerful influence on our feelings, beliefs, and behavior - and how these shared identities can inspire both personal change and social movements.

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 you belong to.

In The Power of Us, psychologists Dominic Packer and Jay Van Bavel integrate their own cutting-edge research in psychology and neuroscience to explain how identity really works and how to harness its dynamic nature to:

  • Boost cooperation and productivity
  • Overcome bias
  • Escape from echo chambers
  • Break political gridlock
  • Foster dissent and mobilize for change
  • Lead effectively
  • Galvanize action to address persistent global problems

Along the way, they explore such seemingly unrelated phenomena as why a small town in Germany spent decades divided by shoes, why beliefs persist after they are disproven, how working together synchronizes our brains, what makes selfish people generous, why effective leaders say “we” a lot, and how playing soccer can reduce age-old conflicts.

Understanding how identity works allows people to take control, moving beyond wondering, “Who am I?” to answer instead, “Who do I want to be?” Packed with fascinating insights, vivid case studies, and a wealth of pioneering research, The Power of Us will change the way you understand yourself - and the people around you - forever.

©2021 Jay J. Van Bavel, PhD, and Dominic J. Packer, PhD (P)2021 Little, Brown & Company
Leadership Neuroscience & Neuropsychology Business Social Identity

Critic Reviews

"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, have 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 behavior." (Charles Duhigg, best-selling author of The Power of Habit and Smarter Faster Better)

“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)

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A timely exploration of identity

In August 2024 this book is perfectly aimed at exploring our need to belong and identify with groups. This isn’t a book about politics but the psychology of identity and our need to belong. But it does help us make sense of current political passions.

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Must read | Changes the way you view the world

The main arguments of this book should be taught in high school. The book decodes the nuanced nature of needless polarisation in today’s society, as well as outlining why and how we need to think critically about our beliefs. I’ve bought a physical copy to go over some of the chapters again!

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