Ethan Kross | Chatter | Talks at Google
Social Pain and Physical Pain: A Shared Neural Landscape
Through fMRI studies involving participants experiencing romantic rejection, Kross's research demonstrated that social pain, such as heartbreak, recruits the same neural systems associated with physical pain. This finding suggests that our brains treat social disconnection as a threat, activating an alarm system akin to that for physical injury, underscoring the fundamental importance of social connection.
Distance Self-Talk: A Verbal Jujitsu for Emotional Regulation
Kross introduces 'distance self-talk,' a technique where individuals refer to themselves using their own name or 'you' instead of 'I.' This strategy, akin to giving advice to a friend, helps shift perspective, manage emotions, curtail rumination, and improve self-control. It leverages our natural ability to be more objective when advising others, applying it to our own challenges.
Kross: The Power of Self-Placebo
The placebo effect demonstrates that harnessing beliefs, cognition, and emotions can lead to significant improvements, such as reduced anxiety, even with inert substances. This principle can be applied to oneself by shifting expectations and truly believing in positive outcomes.
The 'Chatter' Workbook: From Knowledge to Action
The 'Chatter' workbook was created to bridge the gap between understanding concepts and applying them, offering interactive tools and exercises. It emphasizes the need for structured planning, like 'if-then' intentions with mental contrasting, to overcome obstacles and build consistent habits for mental fitness.
