Why Who You Are Affects How You Think

Why Who You Are Affects How You Think

From If/Then by Stanford GSB

April 22, 2026 · 25 min · Season 3 · Episode 50

About this episode

Christian Wheeler discusses how identity influences attitudes and offers insights on bridging political divisions.

“When people come to view attitudes and opinions towards, say, political policies or issues as relevant to their identities, they become more extreme in their attitudes,” says Christian Wheeler, the StrataCom Professor of Management and Professor of Marketing at Stanford Graduate School of Business. “I become more positive or negative towards an issue the moment it becomes relevant to who I view myself as being.” Wheeler’s research offers insight into our increasingly polarized politics. However, his work has also yielded ideas for bridging divisions — beginning with how we listen to each other and how we see the people we disagree with. The moment we see someone as an individual rather than a category, we become more likely to find common ground. “Instead of viewing you as a Democrat or a Republican, I can view you as an individual,” Wheeler recommends. “Anything that humanizes you and moves you away from this simple category will help me to view you as an individual and less as just an interchangeable member of a category.”  How much do your opinions define who you are? Tell us more at ifthenpod@stanford.edu . Related Content: Christian Wheeler faculty profile   In a…

People in this episode

Guest: Christian Wheeler

Topics covered

  • identity
  • polarization
  • political attitudes
  • listening
  • common ground

Keywords

  • identity
  • politics
  • polarization
  • listening
  • common ground
  • attitudes
  • Christian Wheeler

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Stanford Graduate School of Business, Stanford GSB

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