About this episode
This episode explores how group identities shape our perceptions and behaviors, featuring insights from psychologists Jay Van Bavel and Coltan Scrivner.
How do the groups you identify with shape your sense of self? Do they influence the beer you buy? The way you vote? In this favorite episode from 2021, psychologist Jay Van Bavel explains how our group loyalties affect us more than we realize, and can even shape our basic senses of sight, taste and smell. Then, look out! There's a g-g-g-ghost! Psychologist Coltan Scrivner answers listener questions about the surprising benefits of scary entertainment.
People in this episode
Hosts: Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam
Guests: Jay Van Bavel, Coltan Scrivner
Topics covered
- group identity
- psychology
- influence of groups
- scary entertainment
- consumer behavior
Keywords
- group think
- psychology
- identity
- consumer choices
- scary movies
More episodes of Hidden Brain
- Radical Acceptance · May 4, 2026 · 1h 30m
- Designing a Life that Matters · April 27, 2026 · 51 min
- Do You Feel Loved? · April 20, 2026 · 1h 33m
- How to Change the World · April 13, 2026 · 1h 31m
- The Debt Trap · April 6, 2026 · 1h 40m
- When It's Okay to Lie · March 30, 2026 · 52 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Hidden Brain podcast page.