Interdisciplinary Book and Film Reviews

  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." ...

  High Conflict by Amanda Ripley Reviewed by   Geoffrey W. Sutton PhD High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out by Amanda Ripley delves into the toxic landscape of   high conflict   – disputes that escalate into an intractable state of binary opposition. Unlike healthy conflict, which can lead humanity to a better future, high conflict distills into a good-versus-evil feud, where the normal rules of engagement no longer apply. In this state, our brains behave differently, and we become increasingly certain of our own superiority. High Conflict explores real-life stories of individuals drawn into high conflict, including a world-renowned conflict expert in California, a Chicago gang leader seeking vengeance, and liberal Manhattan Jews and conservative Michigan corrections officers attempting to understand each other better. Despite the forces that drive people into high conflict, the book reveals that individuals and communities can break free from its ...

Influence - The Psychology  of Persuasion  by Robert B. Cialdini Reviewed by Geoffrey W. Sutton Cialdini is a psychologist who has studied what it takes to persuade people to do act. When I consulted with parents and teachers about child behavior, I asked about commercials they remembered, which was often a fun exercise. Then I asked about influence— most admit remembering ads when in a store or buying something on impulse. My point is, businesses know they that a 30 or 60-second commercial can influence human behavior.  If you are trying to sell a product or service, protest for change, or win converts to your cause, Cialdini’s principles backed by fascinating research might be helpful. The numbers refer to the chapters in the book, Influence . 1. The Contrast Principle. When we have two experiences—one after another—the first one influences the second. Meet a mean person first and the next person will seem kinder even if they are neutral. Meet a kind and welcoming perso...