From birth, our self is created by other people. We inherently carry intergenerational baggage from our ancestors, then the process of constructing our ‘self’ comes from feedback about who we are from the time, culture, and society we grow up in. Do we truly have any control over who we are and who we will become? To discover the social construction behind what we consider our sense of self, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with social psychologist, and the Walter Kenneth Kilpatrick Professor of Organizational Behavior at Stanford University, Dr. Brian Lowery. Brian explains the premise of his book Selfless: The Social Creation of “You”, and describes the multidimensional facets of self.
Dr. Brian Lowery — The Journey of Self-construction:
- What Brian means when he says the self is a social construction. [2:25]
- Making sense of ourselves and our stories. [6:21]
- In his book, Selfless, Brian imparts that humans can not be a self by themselves and that our worlds are smaller when we don’t deeply engage with others. [9:31]
- The chapter in his book — Hugs and Straight Jackets — focuses on how defining ourselves can be comforting but also limiting. [15:32]
- Lisa and Brian dissect the aspects of freedom and the only thing we truly have control over. [20:49]
- Brian shares his hopes for his book, Selfless. [27:43]
About Lisa’s guest:
Brian Lowery PhD is the Walter Kenneth Kilpatrick Professor of Organizational Behavior at Stanford University and a social psychologist by training. He currently leads the Leadership for Society program at the Graduate School of Business, was recently founding co-director of Stanford’s new Institute on Race, hosts a podcast Know What You See, and recently published a book "Selfless: The Social Creation of You".
“Contemplating one's own mortality is a huge part of the social construct." - Lisa Cypers Kamen
Searching for sustainable tips to support your happiness and well-being? Visit www.harvestinghappiness.com.
Return to the Harvesting Happiness Podcast Page
