Immersion
A search for how to live a meaningful life in the modern world. Exploring psychology, philosophy, and the world around us. Let’s dive 30 minutes beneath the surface each Sunday together. | Hosted by Pamela Carey
Leave a voice message for the show here: https://www.speakpipe.com/pamelacarey
Write in here: https://www.pamcarey.com/contact
This podcast is a production of Bounding Husky LLC doing business as Pamela Carey Enterprises
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional or licensed psychologist
Immersion
How to Talk to Anyone & Develop more Social Range with the Psychology of Role Theory
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Have you ever felt stuck in one role with friends? Often we rely on the same social skills in group dynamics. They start as assets based on our strengths and preferences, but over time they can become a crutch - limiting growth in other areas. For example, always being the supportive friend or the jokester. I argue we can become a social Swiss army knife by developing other skills - even if it’s uncomfortable at first - which makes relationships healthier and conversations more enjoyable.
We’ll touch on role theory (with roots in social psychology and systems thinking) and pair it with real-life examples and a bit of research. This isn’t about becoming someone you’re not - it’s about expanding your social range and tapping dormant parts of yourself so you can show up more authentically.
(00:00) intro
(00:16) why I thought of this concept
(01:38) some of the role types
(03:09) origination in childhood
(04:50) reasons we may want to change this part 1
(05:25) role theory definition
(06:45) this varies in different social groups
(08:04) research on this and more types of roles
(11:32) reasons we may want to change this part 2
(14:46) expanding the definition of who you are
(17:29) how this will help you talk to anyone
(18:40) experimentation and awareness
Mentioned in the episode:
Is personality an illusion episode on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1I5mWjHDjPftoRLnKQOec8?si=b9d1e48622e245d8
Or on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-pam-carey-show/id1732129494?i=1000648475710
APA definition mentioned: https://dictionary.apa.org/role-theory
Research on roles in groups: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1949-00677-001
More of the roles discussed from that research: https://www.comm.pitt.edu/roles-groups
Book Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg https://charlesduhigg.com/supercommunicators/
Instagram - we will be posting here soon
