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The Coddling of the American Mind

 


The Coddling of the American Mind: 

How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas 

Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure 

  by Greg Lukianoff and 

     Jonathan Haidt

Reviewed by

  Geoffrey W. Sutton


The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt, published in 2019, explores the cultural and psychological shifts that have led to increased fragility among young people, particularly on college campuses. The authors argue that well-meaning but misguided practices in parenting, education, and societal norms have contributed to a generation less equipped to handle adversity and engage in open dialogue.

 

The Three Great Untruths

 

Central to the book are the "Three Great Untruths" that Lukianoff and Haidt identify as pervasive and harmful beliefs:

 

1. The Untruth of Fragility: "What doesn’t kill you makes you weaker."**

   - This untruth suggests that individuals are fragile and should be protected from all forms of harm and discomfort. The authors argue that this belief undermines resilience, as it discourages exposure to manageable stressors that are essential for personal growth and development. They introduce the concept of "antifragility," which posits that individuals and systems become stronger through facing challenges¹.

 

2. The Untruth of Emotional Reasoning: "Always trust your feelings."**

   - Emotional reasoning elevates feelings above rational thought, leading to decisions based on subjective emotions rather than objective analysis. This untruth can result in irrational behavior and hinder critical thinking. Lukianoff and Haidt emphasize the importance of balancing emotional intelligence with logical reasoning to foster healthy decision-making and problem-solving².

 

3. The Untruth of Us vs. Them: "Life is a battle between good people and evil people."**

   - This untruth promotes a binary worldview, dividing people into opposing camps of good and evil. Such thinking fosters tribalism and polarization, making constructive dialogue and understanding difficult. The authors advocate for recognizing the complexity of human behavior and encouraging empathy and open-mindedness³.

 

Cultural and Societal Influences

 

Lukianoff and Haidt explore various cultural and societal trends that have contributed to the spread of these untruths:

 

Parental Practices:

  - Overprotective parenting, often referred to as "helicopter parenting," has limited children's opportunities to experience risk and failure. This has led to a generation less capable of handling adversity and more prone to anxiety and depression⁴.

 

Educational Policies:

  - Schools have increasingly adopted policies aimed at protecting students from discomfort, such as trigger warnings and safe spaces. While well-intentioned, these practices can reinforce the belief that students are fragile and unable to cope with challenging ideas⁵.

 

Social Media:

  - The rise of social media has amplified the spread of the Great Untruths by creating echo chambers and promoting a culture of outrage. Social media platforms often reward emotional and sensational content, further entrenching polarized views and discouraging nuanced discussion⁶.

 

Psychological Impacts

 

The authors link the adoption of the Great Untruths to rising levels of mental health issues among young people. They argue that these beliefs contribute to cognitive distortions commonly associated with anxiety and depression, such as overgeneralization, emotional reasoning, and black-and-white thinking. By shielding young people from adversity and promoting emotional reasoning, society has inadvertently increased their vulnerability to mental health challenges.

 

Proposed Solutions

 

Lukianoff and Haidt propose several solutions to counteract the negative effects of the Great Untruths:

 

Promoting Antifragility:

  - Encourage experiences that build resilience, such as allowing children to take risks and face challenges. This can help them develop the skills needed to navigate adversity and grow stronger from it.

 

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):

  - CBT techniques can help individuals recognize and challenge cognitive distortions, replacing extreme thoughts with more balanced perspectives. The authors suggest incorporating CBT principles into education to teach students how to manage stress and think critically.

 

Fostering Open Dialogue:

  - Create environments that encourage open dialogue and the exchange of diverse ideas. This involves promoting free speech on college campuses and teaching students to engage respectfully with differing viewpoints.

 

Conclusion

 

The Coddling of the American Mind offers a compelling analysis of the cultural and psychological factors contributing to increased fragility among young people. By identifying and challenging the Three Great Untruths, Lukianoff and Haidt provide a roadmap for fostering resilience, critical thinking, and open dialogue in future generations.

 

Reference

 

Lukianoff, G., & Haidt, J. (2019). The coddling of the American mind: How good intentions and bad ideas are setting up a generation for failure. New York: Penguin Books. On AMAZON

 

 



Geoffrey W. Sutton, PhD is Emeritus Professor of Psychology. He retired from a clinical practice and was credentialed in clinical neuropsychology and psychopharmacology. His website is  www.suttong.com

 

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