Vilification, Polarization, and Division
Jessica Tietjen
?CEO & Founder |??NeuroPerformance Partner |HR/Ops Leader |??Author |???Speaker & Podcast Host | Leadership Coach | We expand ??human capacity by evolving work practices w/ neuroscience to create exceptional results
Preliminary Disclaimer: Please be aware that this article is not intended to be political. Stick with me to gain a deeper perspective and understanding of the current climate in the context of the human brain and body.
The Ever-Expanding "Chasm"
Have you seen Inside Out 2? There is a great scene about "sarcasm" and the "chasm" it created in the character's brain.
Why are we so quick to vilify those who think or feel differently?
Why do we become polarized separating ourselves based on extreme points of view?
Why do we divide ourselves into them versus us?
I’ve been reflecting and processing the recent incident those of us in the US witnessed over the weekend of the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. This incident was captured live and continuously replayed for hours on end.
As I watched, reflected, and felt an overwhelm of emotion I recognized immediately the trauma many of us were likely experiencing. Yes, I'm using the world "trauma" whether you consider it bit T or little t - seeing what was aired and recorded does create trauma.
In the past, we might have heard of an assassination attempt but seeing it and the devastating loss of life afterwards in live action in our homes has an even greater impact. If you are struggling with what you witnessed, explaining it to children, or even processing it - you are not alone!
However, what this event and especially the commentary following it, brought to my attention once again is the extreme polarization, division, and intentional actions to vilify those of different parties.
But why do we find ourselves in such a state of separation?
A state where whichever side you fall on, it’s hard to even comprehend how someone else could be on the other side.
And yet, this pattern has been repeating throughout history time and again. We continuously divide ourselves into groups with which we choose to identify. Upon doing so, we vilify and reject those who are different.
Many wars have been fought over these thoughts, feelings, and actions.
Did you know we have our "brains" to thank for this challenging way of thinking, feeling, & behaving?
Our brains play a significant role in shaping our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. When new experiences don't fit our past patterns, we feel discomfort and react by ignoring, rejecting, or rationalizing them (Psychology Compass) (Psychology Compass).
Let's explore how our brains influence our ways of being and why we must challenge our limited viewpoints.
How Brains Create Our Ways of Being
A "brain" is a complex network of neurons and neural pathways that processes information, coordinates actions, regulates emotions, and supports decision-making, enabling an organism to interact with and adapt to its environment. It encompasses the head, heart, and gut, collaboratively driving cognitive processes, emotional regulation, and intuitive decision-making.
Throughout our lives, our brains are growing neural pathways in response to our experiences and environments. Each person forming their own unique neural pathways which become their ways of being - thinking, feeling, and behaving.
A neural pathway is a series of connected neurons that transmit signals between different parts of the nervous system sending communications throughout the brain and body.
Our ways of being become our patterns or our most common ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving in response to our experiences and environments.
When we have a new experience of any type (encountering an opinion, acquiring information, watching videos, communicating, or engaging in conflict) our brains immediately start comparing it to our past patterns & pathways.
Our brains ?? are trying to understand and make sense of the experience as fast as possible. In order to do so, they compare the experience to see what aligns or fits with our past patterns and neural pathways, and what doesn’t.
They're considering ?? "What do I think, know, or understand about this?"
They're reflecting on ??"What do I feel, value, or relate to about this?"
They're sensing "What do I identify with, need to act on or need to feel safe?"
Survival is Our Brains Primary Objective
Survival instincts lead our brains to quickly make sense of information by relying on past patterns. Our brains require a tremendous amount of energy (20%) despite being so small (5% of body weight). By relying on past patterns, we can more quickly make sense of information.
As a result, when something doesn’t easily fit with our past patterns, we feel a sense of discomfort. Our brains must process this discomfort and make sense of it.
In addressing our discomfort, our brains try to fix, avoid, or minimize it. Which leads us to choose what we will do with it:
These are the types of reactions we see everywhere in today's world. When people start thinking and saying things like:
Engaging in meaningful dialogues that might cause us to "adapt" our ways of thinking, feeling or behaving, becomes something we avoid.
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We choose the comfort of staying the same over evolving and growing into new ways of thinking.
Impact of our Innate Need for Belonging
Humans by nature require community to survive.
We are not the fastest, strongest, or most durable. In fact, absent our intellect and ability to work together we are quite slow, weak, fragile, and vulnerable.
As a result, belonging is a critical component to our survival and becomes of utmost importance to us from the moment we are born. Just think about how vulnerable and defenseless a human baby is when born.
In order to belong, we are quick to adapt our opinion to those we are closest with, relate to, and trust.
Once we belong to a community, our brains will typically (unless challenged) continue to interpret our experiences in a way that keeps us aligned with our community.
Since we want to belong, if we don’t have an opinion or past experience or pattern to draw upon, we are more likely to accept what we learn as truth or fact. If we don’t have something internally that contradicts new information, it’s easiest for our brains just to accept it.
Likewise, if we hear something that contradicts our experience the easiest reaction for the brain is to distrust or deny its source, particularly if they aren't part of our community. The brain does not have to change or re-wire itself conserving energy.
We will choose to believe irrational explanations rather than risk becoming separated from our community or group. For this reason, people in cults or violent families find it difficult to leave despite the obvious issues.
Expanding Perspective "Devil's Advocate"
As part of my legal training as an attorney, I was taught repeatedly how to consider various situations from multiple viewpoints and perspectives. I developed a habit or a tendency to always want to play "devil's advocate."
Devil's Advocate: A person who deliberately takes a position contrary to the prevailing viewpoint or advocates for a contentious idea, not necessarily out of conviction but to stimulate debate, test the strength of the arguments, and ensure thorough consideration of all aspects of the issue.
As a leader, I found myself often engaging and playing the role of devil's advocate. Even when I did not agree with the position at all, I would often put forth alternative perspectives to pressure test our decisions and actions.
Occasionally, I would even offer my true opinion under the guise of "playing devil's advocate" out of fear that if I said it was mine it would negatively impact my membership on the team. A problematic yet common challenge many leaders face when there is a lack of safety.
Many of my fellow leaders in the corporate space did not appreciate this approach to dealing with challenging topics or issues. I was even directed by one leader to "stop playing devil's advocate and not delay decisions to consider their broader impact or ramifications."
I was essentially threatened with "not belonging" by simply offering an alternative perspective up for discussion. A practice many leaders and leadership teams need to consider engaging in more often.
I've always felt as leaders we have a responsibility to ensure that our limited viewpoint is not the only one that gets considered. We bring a limited set of experiences (neural pathways) and need to be challenged to think more broadly.
My intuitive understanding of the need for having a "devil's advocate" is also supported by brain research of leaders.
The Brain of a Leader
The brains of leaders have been shown to undergo changes that limit their ability to see other perspectives due to a phenomenon where increased power and responsibility can reduce their capacity for empathy and perspective taking. (McKinsey & Company) (NeuroLeadership Institute) (Psychology Compass).
This occurs because the part of the brain responsible for perspective and understanding other's viewpoints becomes less active in those who hold power.
"Studies have shown that power can reduce activity in the mirror neuron system, which is crucial for empathy (McKinsey & Company, NeuroLeadership Institute)."
Consequently, leaders may become more self-focused and less able to recognize and integrate alternative perspectives, potentially leading to decision-making that overlooks valuable insights from others.
As a result of my experience (and one I'm sure others can relate to), I was silenced in order to maintain my position on the team. I truly felt the "threat" to my survival in that moment of my need to belong.
I'm willing to bet many others have had similar experiences where they might have engaged in a broader perspective, but the risk was too great.
The Consequence
As a result, we often end up choosing safety, comfort, and belonging over expanding our perspectives and experiencing growth.
We end up refusing to engage in meaningful dialogue and open our minds to alternative perspectives or points of view.
We all end up growing ever closer to the group, team, or party that best aligns with our past experience with and view of the world. ??
What if we instead we chose to....
engage in discussion (not arguments)
consider other perspectives (not ignore them)
learn more about others (stay in our same circles)
evolve and change (rather than remain the same!)
How might this create and shape a world of growth and expansion rather than conflict and disconnection?
Let's open our minds and embrace the potential for growth through diverse perspectives! ??