How self affirmation can change our behaviour - with Prof Peter Harris - Ep 3

02/03/20 • 34 min

My conversation in this episode is with Professor Peter Harris. Peter is a professor of Psychology at the University of Sussex.

His academic research investigates how people can be encouraged to respond less defensively to important information – especially about their lifestyles or behaviour. This can be particularly important when trying to get people to make positive changes to their lives - including stopping smoking, tackling climate change or just learning more effectively. In other words, it could help to achieve social change on a range of issues.
In this conversation with Peter we explore the idea of 'self affirmation' and how it can help to change people's behaviour. We also discuss where the research has got to and what the challenges are in turning it from an interesting academic idea into a real-world solution.
It's a fascinating topic and I hope you enjoy the episode! Please subscribe to the podcast and share it with everyone!

My conversation in this episode is with Professor Peter Harris. Peter is a professor of Psychology at the University of Sussex.

Previous Episode

How to seek a tolerant, kind and rational world - with Andrew Copson - Ep 2

My conversation in this episode is with Andrew Copson. Andrew is the Chief Executive of Humanists UK, a charity seeking a tolerant world where rational thinking and kindness prevail.
Andrew has been a leading voice in the humanist movement for many years and has contributed to a lot of important political and social campaigns in the UK and beyond – from those fighting discrimination and injustice through to initiatives to help people get the emotional support they need at critical moments in life.
In this episode we discuss what humanism is, the ways in which Humanists UK has a profound impact on people's lives, and how they could help to change society in the future.

I hope you enjoy it - please subscribe to the podcast and share it with everyone!

Next Episode

How to make politics better - with Neal Lawson - Ep 4

My conversation in this episode is with Neal Lawson. Neal is a political commentator and a director of the centre-left pressure group Compass. He was an adviser to Gordon Brown when he was Chancellor of the Exchequer, is the editor of the political journal Renewal and has regularly appeared on TV and in newspapers to talk politics.
Neal, like many people, feels that traditional politics is broken, and that to get a better, fairer and more sustainable future for everyone, we need to build a new vision of politics that is rooted in people’s lives, relationships and communities. A ‘bottom-up’ approach, where politicians listen to people, give them more power and shape policy based on their needs, rather than the current ‘top-down’ approach where ‘politicians know best’ and impose policies on the population.
In this conversation we explore the work Neal does and why it matters - as well as how we can all have hope and work towards a better future, even in difficult times.
I hope you enjoy the episode! Please subscribe to the podcast and share it with everyone!