Embracing Uncertainty: Embracing uncertainty can lead to personal growth. Dana's journey from fear to transformation through improv shows how stepping outside comfort zones opens up new opportunities and enriches life experiences.
Our responses to uncertainty shape our lives in many ways, from our personal relationships to our career choices. The story of Dana, who initially declined a chance to join an improv group due to her anxiety about navigating the city, shows how fear can hold us back. However, when she decided to face that fear, she discovered new experiences that changed her life for the better. Learning to embrace uncertainty, as seen in improv with its rules of 'Yes and,' allows us to be flexible, open-minded, and creative in our personal and professional endeavors. This highlights the importance of stepping outside our comfort zones, indicating how embracing uncertainty and spontaneity can lead to growth and new opportunities.
Embracing Uncertainty: Accepting life's uncertainties helps strengthen relationships, as seen in Dana's journey through losing luggage and facing health issues with Mike. Building resilience together fosters growth and deeper connections.
Life can be unpredictable, just like the moment Dana lost her luggage on the way to Hawaii. Although she felt stressed and out of control, Mike suggested a positive way to adapt by buying new clothes. This experience taught them to accept challenges and grow closer. Later, Dana faced more uncertainty when Mike had health issues. Despite the stress, they understood the importance of staying connected and supportive through tough times. It's essential to accept life's unexpected turns and use them as opportunities to build resilience and strengthen relationships. In both comedy and life, embracing the unexpected can lead to personal growth and deeper connections.
Embracing Uncertainty: Unexpected illness challenges our sense of control and triggers strong emotions. Accepting uncertainty and focusing on support can help navigate these difficult times.
Receiving unexpected bad news, like a loved one’s serious illness, can be overwhelming and provoke strong emotions. Dana grappled with feelings of anger and frustration when Mike was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Instead of focusing on uncertainties, she learned to navigate her feelings through understanding and acceptance. Initially, Dana's need for control led her to search for reasons behind Mike's condition, but over time she recognized that randomness and uncertainty are part of life. This shift helped her cope better. Understanding one’s own emotional responses, whether through anger or the desire for certainty, is essential in managing difficult situations and supporting loved ones in times of crisis.
Uncertainty and Preference: Our comfort with uncertainty shapes how we make decisions and enjoy art. Those needing closure prefer clear answers, while those valuing cognition embrace complexity and ambiguity, influencing their appreciation of abstract art and open narratives.
People have different ways of dealing with uncertainty in life. Some prefer clear answers and quick resolutions, while others can tolerate ambiguity and enjoy complex problems. Those with a high need for closure want things organized and certain, while those with a high need for cognition appreciate deep thinking and exploration. This difference influences how we appreciate art, like preferring abstract works if we embrace uncertainty. When faced with decisions or crises, our traits shape our responses—some seek to pin down the cause quickly, while others analyze information more thoughtfully. This interplay affects not just our problem-solving but also our tastes in aesthetics and narratives, revealing deeper insights into our personalities and how we connect with the world around us.
Tolerance of Ambiguity: Our attraction to art and literature varies based on how we handle uncertainty. People who embrace ambiguity tend to enjoy complexity, while those who avoid it often focus on clear outcomes—affecting their views on crime, politics, and more.
Our ability to appreciate abstract art, literature, and even our political beliefs often depends on our tolerance for ambiguity and the need for cognition. Some people quickly seek certain and clear-cut answers as a response to uncertainty, while others enjoy exploring complexity. This psychological tendency affects various aspects of our lives, including our understanding of art, our reactions to ambiguous stories, and our views on societal issues like crime and politics. Individuals who are more accepting of uncertainty tend to think deeply about complex issues, while those who are more sensitive to threats often prioritize quick, emotional responses. This divide shapes cultural and political conflicts, highlighting the importance of understanding different perspectives. Navigating these differences can lead to better communication and a clearer understanding of various beliefs.
Cognitive Styles: Need for closure influences opinions on transgender rights. Those desiring clear answers often reject complex ideas like gender fluidity. Media styles vary, with liberal satire appealing to nuanced thinking and conservative outrage targeting simpler, fear-based narratives, shaping polarized views and misperceptions.
Research indicates that people's level of need for closure impacts their opinions on transgender individuals and rights. Those with high need for closure tend to have more negative views, struggling to accept concepts like gender fluidity. Additionally, different media styles, like satire in liberal shows versus outrage in conservative media, resonate with varying cognitive styles and levels of threat sensitivity, reflecting broader social divides. Liberal satire often involves irony and ambiguity, appealing to those who enjoy complex thought, while conservative media tends to fuel outrage and a sense of threat, catering to those seeking clear answers and emotional activation. These psychological traits impact how groups perceive each other, complicating discussions and increasing polarization. Media amplifies these traits by creating content that aligns with the audience's pre-existing beliefs, leading to oversimplified views of individuals on opposing sides of the political spectrum.
Balance in Society: A balanced approach to decision-making—combining decisiveness with thoughtful detail—is essential for a thriving society that values both safety and creativity.
Being decisive and being able to think through details both play important roles in addressing different challenges in life. Some situations may benefit from quick decisions, while others require careful consideration. A balanced society needs members skilled in both clarity and ambiguity, encouraging creativity while maintaining security. This harmony is crucial for a rich culture and innovative spirit. When engaging with others who have different perspectives, it's valuable to use these concepts to foster meaningful conversations and understand the deeper reasons behind beliefs. This approach can promote a more open society where differing views coexist, enhancing quality of life without negatively impacting safety or artistic expression.
Sitting With Uncertainty
Recent Episodes from Hidden Brain
Sitting With Uncertainty
It can sometimes be exciting when we don't know what's coming next. Other times, the unknown can be deeply troubling. This week, we talk with researcher Dannagal Goldthwaite Young about how we respond to uncertainty, and why this psychological trait plays a surprisingly large role in shaping our behavior, perspectives — even our political beliefs.
If you'd like to learn more about the intersection between psychology and our political views, check out these other Hidden Brain episodes:
US 2.0: Not at the Dinner Table
US 2.0: What We Have in Common
Rewrite Your Money Story
Money worries are one of the biggest sources of anxiety in our lives. Psychologist Brad Klontz says these worries are shaped by more than the number in our bank accounts — they’re often driven by our unconscious beliefs. This week, we bring you a favorite 2022 conversation with Klontz, who says it’s possible to identify and change what he calls our “money scripts.”
For more of our work, please consider joining our podcast subscription, Hidden Brain+. It's our home for conversations and ideas you won't hear anywhere else. Plus, you'll be providing vital support for the work that we do. If you listen on Apple Podcasts, you can find us at apple.co/hiddenbrain. If you use other podcast platforms or devices, you can sign up at support.hiddenbrain.org. Thanks for your support!
You 2.0: Fighting Despair
Every morning, you wake up and face the world. What does it look like to you? Do you see a paradise of endless opportunities, where people are friendly and helpful? Or a world filled with injustice, where people cannot be trusted? In the final installment of this year's You 2.0 series, we talk with psychologist Jamil Zaki about how we become disillusioned and distrustful of the world, and how to balance realism with hope.
Did you miss any of the other episodes in the You 2.0 series? Make sure to give them a listen here or on our website:
- You 2.0: The Gift of Other People
- You 2.0: Taking Control of Your Time
- You 2.0: How To Say No
- You 2.0: Remember More, Forget Less
And if you like today's conversation with Jamil Zaki, be sure to check out our earlier conversation with him, "The Empathy Gym."
You 2.0: Remember More, Forget Less
It happens to the best of us — we blank on someone's name, or forget an important meeting, or bomb a test we thought we'd ace. In this week's installment of our You 2.0 series, we talk to cognitive scientist Daniel Willingham about the mysteries of memory: how it works, why it fails us, and how to build memories that stick.
For more of our You 2.0 series, listen to our episode on how to say no.
You 2.0: How To Say No
Saying no to someone who asks for something is often easier said than done. Maybe it's a boss who wants you to take on a new assignment. Or your kid's teacher, seeking volunteers for a field trip. Or a friend who asks you to lend her money. How should we respond to these demands on our time, energy, and resources? This week, psychologist Vanessa Patrick explores why it's so hard to say no, and how we can set boundaries that will make it easier to do so.
If you haven't yet caught the first two episodes in this year's You 2.0 series, you can find them in this podcast feed, or on our website:
You 2.0: The Gift of Other People
You 2.0: Taking Control of Your Time
Thanks for listening!
You 2.0: Taking Control of Your Time
Many of us feel like there aren't enough hours in the day. We struggle to make time for all the competing demands at work and at home, and inevitably feel like we're letting someone down. But what if there were a way to reclaim our time and, as a result, get more joy out of our lives? In the second episode of this year's You 2.0 series, psychologist Cassie Mogilner Holmes explains how we've fallen victim to the illusion of time scarcity, and what we can do to spend our time more wisely.
If you enjoy today's episode, check out last week's kick-off to our series, "You 2.0: The Gift of Other People."
You 2.0: The Gift of Other People
Are you someone who strikes up a conversation with the person next to you on the train? Or do you keep your eyes fixed on your phone? Do you offer gratitude to friends and family? Or do you assume that they already know how you feel? This week, in the kickoff to our annual You 2.0 series, we talk with psychologist Nicholas Epley about our interactions with other people, and how we can make them more rewarding.
If you enjoy today's episode, check out these classic Hidden Brain episodes:
You're Not the Boss of Me!
Whether in your personal life or at work, you've probably experienced what it’s like to have people reject your requests. To be told that what you want is unfair, or heavy-handed. And you've likely been in the opposite position as well — pushing back against requests that step on your freedom. This week, we talk to psychologist Benjamin Rosenberg about how we respond to infringements on our sense of autonomy, and how we can avoid sparking this resistance in our interactions with other people.
If you know someone who would like today's episode, please share it with them! And if you enjoy our show, please consider trying a free seven-day trial of our podcast subscription, Hidden Brain+. If you use an iPhone, you can sign up at apple.co/hiddenbrain. If you use an Android device, you can find Hidden Brain+ at support.hiddenbrain.org. Thanks for listening!
The Cure for Self-Importance
When we meet new people, we’re often drawn to those with a commanding presence or a dazzling personality. But it turns out that a very different trait — humility — is important in the long term. This week, in the first of a two-part discussion, we talk with psychologist Daryl Van Tongeren about different kinds of humility, and how this overlooked quality can play a powerful role in workplace dynamics and romantic relationships.
If you like today's episode, be sure to check out part two of our conversation, exclusively for Hidden Brain+ listeners. We talk with Daryl Van Tongeren about existential humility — being open to the idea we might be wrong about life's biggest unknowns. It's the episode called "Asking the Big Questions." To listen to Hidden Brain+ with a free seven-day trial, go to apple.co/hiddenbrain or support.hiddenbrain.org.
Where Truth Lies
When we think about misinformation, we often focus on blatant errors or deliberate attempts to deceive us. But in recent years, social scientists have found that misinformation comes in many flavors — many of which are far more subtle than obvious falsehoods. These forms of misinformation prey on our mental blindspots, and take advantage of our passions and loyalties. This week, economist Alex Edmans explores the many insidious forms of misinformation, and how we can all get better at separating fact from fiction.
For more of our work, please consider joining our podcast subscription. Hidden Brain+ is where you’ll find exclusive interviews and deeper dives into the ideas we explore on the show. You can try Hidden Brain+ with a free seven-day trial at apple.co/hiddenbrain. Or if you’re an Android user, sign up at support.hiddenbrain.org.