Psychologyspeaking topic
The agentic state: while obeying someone, we begin to see ourselves not as the author of our actions but as a mere instrument. When we hand responsibility to someone else, how much of it do we actually hand over?
— Stanley Milgram, agentic state theory
practice with this topic
Set the timer (5-30 min), take 20 seconds of prep if you like, start talking. Jot your thoughts onto the sticky-note board.
similar topics
- Stereotype threat: merely reminding someone of a negative stereotype about their group can actually lower their performance. How do other people's expectations trip us up?
- The misinformation effect: even the wording of a question asked after an event can change how the event is remembered. How reliable is eyewitness testimony?
- Overconfidence: why do we rate our predictions as more accurate than they really are? How often are we wrong about the things we say we're sure of?
- Projection as a defense mechanism: we load our own jealousy onto the other person. Is the thing we criticize hardest in someone else actually our own hidden side?
- The habit of ignoring your own emotions while believing you handle them well.