Chapter 11 (Us Versus Them) discussed Us (in-group) and Them (out-group). We show preference for persons that we view as an Us, this could be someone who is the same age as us, has the same color hair, is a fan of the same team, someone who went to the same college, and endless other categories of sameness. We view someone as a Them when they fall into a different category than the one we are focusing on, and they are perceived as being threatening, shady, and they fill us with rage. The author discussed ways in which we can increase feelings of either affection or disdain that we have towards an Us or a Them, and circumstances in which the normal reactions one would have towards a Them disappear, this being when individuals on opposing sides find a category to which they both belong that takes precedence over the category that separates them. I really enjoyed the warmth/competence matrix detailed out by the author, along with the feelings associated with the various pairings of high and low as well as the feelings that fall between the squares.
Chapter 12 (Hierarchy, Obedience, and Resistance) explains ranking systems, first discussing the different types amongst animals. Humans are animals, and there are similarities between the hierarchies we have and the ones that some animals have. But we also have a ranking system that is unique to us (I will let you read to discover what it is). Following this, the author goes into how we determine a persons rank using biological factors. Determining a persons rank can be as simple as looking at their face or checking out their body language. Glucocorticoids are brought up again, and the way in which a high-ranking job can make you sick from the stress of it, but it all depends on how much authority you have, how many people are above or below you in the chain, and how many people you actually work with day to day. The CEO of company may have a very prestigious job, but the people directly below them or a few levels below them are the ones most likely to experience considerable stress. Next, there is a section about leaders and how we choose them. Following this, the author discusses obedience and conformity while mentioning the author of one of my favorite books, The Lucifer Effect by Philip Zimbardo (which I suggest you read if you want to learn more about just how far things can go in the name of conforming). After going through several examples of people doing terrible things in the name of conforming or being obedient, Sapolsky does tell us how it’s possible to reduce the chances of doing something horrible if the only reason you would be doing the act in question is because someone in position of power or great esteem has told you to do it.
Nonfiction and Nonsense 