Summary of Geoffrey L. Cohen's Belonging

By IRB Media

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book.

Book Preview:

#1 You can alter a situation to make people feel more valued or included, even in seemingly minor ways.

#2 You can make your underlings feel more valued in seemingly minor ways.

#3 You can alter a situation to make people feel more valued or included, even in seemingly minor ways.

#4 You can use situation-crafting to create a mission that cannot be accomplished unless people work together.

• Language: English
• Publisher: IRB Media
• Release date: Sep 28, 2022
• ISBN: 9798350031126

IRB Media

With IRB books, you can get the key takeaways and analysis of a book in 15 minutes. We read every chapter, identify the key takeaways and analyze them for your convenience.

Book preview

Insights on Geoffrey L. Cohen's Belonging

Contents

Insights from Chapter 1

Insights from Chapter 2

Insights from Chapter 3

Insights from Chapter 1

#1

The field of social psychology is filled with examples of how people’s behavior can be changed by the situation they are in. For instance, the same person might act shy in the classroom but outgoing at a sports event.

#2

Belonging is the feeling that we’re part of a larger group that values, respects, and cares for us. If our lives are bereft of a sense of connection, we can become vulnerable to the appeals of groups that make the belonging they provide contingent on acceptance of views and behavior that don’t reflect our true values.

#3

C. P. began to realize that the politicians were using the Klan to covertly accomplish their goals. He began to grow disillusioned with the group, and eventually joined the Human Relations Council in Durham, a group of black and white citizens who were brought together to discuss social issues.

#4

The charette was a powerful tool of situation-crafting that allowed people in opposition to work together towards a goal that could not be achieved unless people worked together.

#5

C. P. Ellis’s change of heart wasn’t just due to the charette experience, though. He had been ambivalent about his membership in the Klan for some time, and it was the right situation that presented itself to him at the right time.

#6

The science of experimental sociology was born out of the rise of fascism, and was used to create artful situations that unlocked people’s potential for good.

#7

Lewin’s research showed that the behavior of groups of ten-year-old boys could be dramatically altered depending on the leadership style of the adult in charge of them. Groups of five boys engaged in fun activities of the era: soap carving, mask making, mural painting, and making model airplanes.

#8

The leader of the group used a democratic style, suggesting activities for the kids but leaving the choice of whom to work with up to them. He made space for children to dissent yet still feel they belonged.

#9

The authoritarian leader’s style transformed the climate of the club and the behavior of the boys. The boys in the democratic groups were friendly with one another and eagerly engaged in the projects, having lots of fun. The boys in the authoritarian groups became hostile toward one another, and their work suffered.

#10

Lewin’s study showed that under authoritarian rule, the boys were more likely to scapegoat and bully a single member of the group, who would then leave. The rest of the group would then engage in friendly cooperation.

#11

Lewin was able to increase productivity and reduce the amount of time it took to make a dress by introducing changes and allowing the women to set their own goals.

#12

We can rarely will ourselves or another person to change.