Power of Us

If you're like most people, you probably believe that your identity is stable. But in fact, your identity is constantly changing - often outside your conscious awareness and sometimes even against your wishes - to reflect the interests of the groups of which you're a part. And that fluid identity has a powerful influence over your feelings, beliefs, and behaviours.

In THE POWER OF US, psychologists Packer and Van Bavel integrate their own cutting-edge research in psychology, neuroscience and economics to explain what identity really is and show how to harness its dynamic nature to:

Increase our productivity - Improve physical and psychological health - Overcome our individual prejudice - Unlock our altruism - Break the political gridlock - Galvanize others to solve controversial global problems

Along the way, they explain such seemingly unrelated phenomenon as why men cry at football games but not funerals, why the history of slavery in U.S. counties is one of the best predictors of current day racism, and why Canada keeps a national reserve of maple syrup. Packed with fascinating insights, vivid case studies, and pioneering research, THE POWER OF US will change the way you understand yourself - and those around you - forever.


Better than I have ever seen, The Power of Us assesses the influence of tribalism on our actions and specifies ways to turn the force from destructive to constructive. A truly important booK. ― Robert Cialdini, author of INFLUENCE AND PRE-SUASION

As American politics shifts from fights over ideology and policies to conflict over basic identities, we increasingly need help from social psychologists to understand what is going on. The Power of Us is an excellent resource in filling this urgent need. ― Francis Fukuyama, author of IDENTITY

The Power of Us is a fascinating journey into the science of identity. If you've ever struggled to understand why people join cults or mindlessly conform - or wondered how to build great teams and influence better choices - this is the book you need. It is a practical, entertaining and, above all, vital guide to human behaviour. ― Charles Duhigg, bestselling author of THE POWER OF HABIT and SMARTER FASTER BETTER

The Power of Us is an endlessly entertaining and critically important book, written by two masters of their field. Delivered with lucidity and pace, it reveals the enormous power social identity has over our individual behaviour, and how it shapes the world of politics, business, social justice - and pretty much everything else ― Will Storr

In the 21st century, politics and social life have shifted to become ever more about identity. Those who read this book will understand the deep psychology of identity, and will therefore be less bewildered and more successful-not just in politics but in leadership of any kind, and even in the whirling identity pool of social media. ― Jonathan Haidt, author of THE RIGHTEOUS MIND, co-author of THE CODDLING OF THE AMERICAN MIND

Riveting and revelatory, splendidly written and filled with fascinating studies, The Power of Us shines a new, thought-provoking, and ultimately hopeful light on so much that is confusing and dismaying about our fraught world today ― Amy Chua, author of BATTLE HYMN OF THE TIGER MOTHER AND POLTICAL TRIBES: Group Instinct and the Fate of Nations

Who am I? Is there anyone who hasn't asked themselves this question? But Jay Van Bavel and Dominic Packer have not only asked themselves this question, they've studied the psychology of identity for years and, as leaders in the field, have produced an authoritative guide that is remarkably accessible, actionable, and a pure joy to read! ― Angela Lee Duckworth, author of GRIT