About this episode
Dr. Steven Heine joins Dr. Dan Lannin to discuss the psychology of meaning in a fragmented world and insights from his book Start Making Sense.
In this episode of Psychology Life Lessons, Dr. Steven Heine joins Dr. Dan Lannin to explore the psychology of meaning in an increasingly fragmented world. Drawing on decades of work in cultural and existential psychology, Dr. Heine explains how cultural contexts shape the way people see themselves, what it means to live a "good" life, and how psychological universals are often misunderstood. They unpack his research on WEIRD societies, the Meaning Maintenance Model, and how humans respond to disruptions in meaning—sometimes by doubling down on existing beliefs. Heine also shares insights from his latest book Start Making Sense, offering practical wisdom for restoring purpose in an age of disconnection. From the loss of community to the numbing effects of social media, the conversation highlights how identity, connection, and culture intertwine in the search for meaning.More
People in this episode
Host: Dr. Dan Lannin
Guest: Dr. Steven Heine
Topics covered
- psychology
- meaning
- cultural contexts
- identity
- social media
- disconnection
Keywords
- psychology
- meaning
- cultural psychology
- identity
- social media
- disconnection
- WEIRD societies
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Start Making Sense
More episodes of Psychology Life Lessons
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- Episode 26: The Art and Science of Helping · March 17, 2025 · 52 min
- Episode 25: Loving Someone with a Mental Illness or History of Trauma · December 19, 2024 · 47 min
- Episode 24: Smart, Not Loud · September 1, 2024 · 44 min
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