Jul 10, 2023
NPR Hidden brain
Interview lady Erica Boothby social illusions, liking gap,
invisibility cloak illusion
In conversation we overestimate negative thoughts toward us,
observing we understanding how much they’re noticing us
Good to ask questions
Think less of us and more of them
Giving compliments help dismantle liking gap for other
person
Just listened to a fascinating interview on NPR and thought
that you would have appreciated it. The show was “Hidden Brain” and
he interviewed Erica Boothby, psychologist who has identified what
she called social illusions, specifically the liking gap where
people tend to overestimate in conversations negative impressions
they’ve made and when not in conversation underestimating how much
others notice us vs us noticing them. They noted we can
reduce the liking gap for others by complimenting them and for
ourselves by asking others questions about thi
ngs we’re worried about.
Also should focus less on ourselves and more on the other
person to reduce our liking gap.
Speaks to power of being others focused as Bible says
Phil 2:4 "Let each of you look not only his own interests, but
also to the interests of others"
Phil 2:3 "do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in
humility count others more significant than yourselves"
Rom 12:10 "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo
one another in showing honor"
1 Cor 12:24 "Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his
neighbor"
Rom 12:16 "Live in harmony with one another. Do not be
haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own
sight"
What didn’t address is importance of caring more what God
thinks than others
If we could truly care only what thinks and not other fallen
humans, imagine how many of our challenges and worries and sadness,
discontent would be gone
"Psalm 56:11 "In God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?"
"Psalm 56:11 "In God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?"