In recent decades, American society has collectively forgotten the virtue of fostering belonging in others. There seem to be many causes contributing to this central effect – political partisanship, technology, police injustices, lingering racism, the capitalistic thrust of media, and more. Cohen, a Stanford psychology professor, takes aim at this rich topic by presenting a comprehensive theory driven by research and then drawing out several practical applications. He does so to help modern social problems as well as to enhance individual effectiveness.
This work gripped me from beginning to end. However, it was not a page-turner to be read cover-to-cover in a handful of days. Rather, I read one chapter per day and lingered on its applications to my life over time. One chapter took me about an hour to read and gave me plenty of nuggets to chew on. Even though research drives Cohen’s understanding, he presents it to be digested by the reading public.
Cohen attempts to teach readers how to “craft situations” whereby others will feel like they belong. He also presents compelling evidence that a sense of belonging has health, social, and bottom-line results. This art of crafting situations requires some thought and nuance, but the book walks readers through how to adjust their thoughts towards this aim. Front-page topics like race, gender and social media are explored throughout. The conclusion even delineates several small adages to use with less scholarly audiences.
This book is for anyone who has trouble interacting with people who are different than themselves. So that includes just about everyone. And this book is written with everyone in mind. Though filled with academic research, it attempts to address the general public. Personal anecdotes stand side-by-side with descriptions of studies. Of course, in an America where people are growing increasingly suspicious of even their neighbors, this book is timely. I, for one, look forward to applying its insights with my co-workers, friends, and neighbors.
Belonging: The Science of Creating Connection and Bridging Divides
By Geoffrey L. Cohen
Copyright (c) 2022
W.W. Norton & Company
ISBN13 9781324006183
Page Count: 416
Genre: Psychology
www.amazon.com