An edition of Radical distortion (2012)

Radical distortion

how emotions warp what we hear

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Last edited by MARC Bot
August 24, 2024 | History
An edition of Radical distortion (2012)

Radical distortion

how emotions warp what we hear

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.

Publish Date
Publisher
Prometheus Books
Language
English
Pages
248

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Previews available in: English

Book Details


Table of Contents

Dedication
Acknowledgements
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
Chapter notes.

Edition Notes

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Published in
Amherst, NY

Classifications

Dewey Decimal Class
302
Library of Congress
BF511 .R45 2012, BF511.R45 2012

The Physical Object

Pagination
p. cm.
Number of pages
248

ID Numbers

Open Library
OL25331163M
Internet Archive
radicaldistortio0000reic
ISBN 13
9781616146580
LCCN
2012018457
OCLC/WorldCat
793581744

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History

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August 24, 2024 Edited by MARC Bot import existing book
August 3, 2020 Edited by ImportBot import existing book
January 4, 2018 Edited by ImportBot import new book
May 30, 2012 Created by LC Bot import new book