Title
Radical distortion : how emotions warp what we hear / John W. Reich.
ISBN
9781616146580 (pbk. : alk. paper)
1616146583 (pbk. : alk. paper)
Imprint
Amherst, NY : Prometheus Books, 2012.
Language
English
Description
248 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.
Call Number
BF511 .R45 2012
Dewey Decimal Classification
302
Summary
Our social unity is under attack from extremists on opposite sides of the political spectrum. Often the loudest and most influential public voices today are also the most divisive. Amid the din of conflicting claims, accusations, and counteraccusations, voices of moderation can no longer be heard. Radical speech is creating hazards for civil discourse and even for governance. Under such conditions, how will we ever find common ground to advance the needs of the nation? Psychologist John W. Reich presents answers to this question in this insightful discussion of the social-science research on the decision-making processes of those who endorse extremist beliefs. A key finding of this research is that extremism causes selective hearing and biases our very ability to form objective judgments. In fact, radical speech leads to radical hearing and impedes our willingness to consider moderate viewpoints. Based on these findings, Reich presents seven principles whereby we can reduce or eliminate the toxic influences of extremist rhetoric and selective hearing. These include becoming aware of how emotion affects our judgments, accepting the fact that we live in a diverse society where differing points of view are common, and detecting when extremist rhetoric is designed solely to attack its opponents. If knowledge is power, says Reich, then the best antidote to toxic speech is increased scientific understanding of how our judgments are formed. By making the latest social-science research on this important subject accessible, Radical Distortion takes a crucial first step toward creating a more civil society.
Bibliography, etc. Note
Includes bibliographical references (p. 231-239) and index.
Introduction : radical speech/radical hearing : why voices of moderation can't be heard
Deliberate divisiveness
The psychology of becoming committed
Judging and (mis)perceiving the world
Emotions, attitudes, and judgment processes
When attitudes and the self get involved
Other issues, other effects, still the same principles
The radical hearing diagnostic test
Our social relations just magnify our biases
Seven basic principles for restoring our unity
Can't change or won't change? that is the question.
