Innovation 2.0: The Influence You Have
Hidden Brain
Episode Insights
See all- The egocentric bias is a psychological phenomenon where individuals underestimate the influence they have on others, which can prevent people from seeking help and can lead them to exert unintentional pressure on those they are asking assistance from.
- Situational context plays a significant role in determining behavior, indicating that the environment can shape actions as much as personal disposition can, which is exemplified by the theory that even ordinary individuals may adopt extreme behaviors if placed in certain contexts.
- Acts of kindness can be found even in the toughest environments, such as in the South Bronx story where a mother who left out a bag of dirty dishes received them back cleaned, demonstrating community support and understanding during times of hardship.
- Studies show that people often overestimate the likelihood of rejection when asking for help and don't realize that others are more willing to assist than they might assume. This misunderstanding stems from an egocentric viewpoint that focuses too much on one's own fears and insecurities.
- Research by Vanessa Bohns highlights a discrepancy between the perception of those making requests and those receiving them, with people generally focusing on the receiver's perspective and ignoring the discomfort and pressure the asker may be causing.
- In the workplace, the egocentric bias can lead to ethical dilemmas, as individuals may comply with unethical demands or engage in improper behavior due to underestimating their power and influence over others or failing to stand up against toxic behaviors.
- Despite potential discomfort, people who are asked for help often justify their assistance by recasting their actions as being driven by their own good nature, which can lead to positive self-perception and mutual benefit in the long run, even in situations where they initially felt pressured to comply.
- The egocentric bias in interactions can cause a gap between how individuals predict they would behave in a situation and how they actually act, which underscores the importance of understanding the subtle impacts of our behavior on others to improve communication and empathy.