*****
Summary of Transcript:
Tom interviews Jordan Peterson in a discussion about identity and how it is negotiated in society. He mentions how identity is a role that is played out in the world, and it needs to furnish individuals with a life. Identity is negotiated, particularly in social contexts, and it starts from an early age. Peterson explains that identity is a negotiation facilitated within a group, where children establish how to play a game, and everyone needs to be happy or play won’t continue. Additionally, he discusses the importance of balancing order and chaos to avoid tyranny and how the negotiation of identity is a grander sense of who we become in society.
*****
Summary of Description:
Clinical psychologist Dr. Jordan B. Peterson discusses the concept of functional identity and how it is tied to shaping our perception of self-identity, which is heavily influenced by social norms and our interactions with our peers. He explores the importance of sacrificing and striving for more, as well as the significance of slaying your dragons. Jordan and Tom dive into the elements that make up identity, including the story we tell ourselves about our actions, and the fundamental relationship between behavior and ethical statements. Jordan emphasizes the importance of running experiments to improve our quality of life, understanding the condition of acting from resentment and the benefits of being intuitive in making decisions. He advises aiming at something being better than nothing, despite the possibility of failure. Finally, Jordan gives insights into prejudices and the pushback he receives when helping “deplorable” young men, highlighting how important it is to alleviate unnecessary suffering in society.
*****
Exploring the Concept of Self-Identity with Jordan Peterson
Self-identity is something that is ever-evolving, but have you ever stopped to consider how much your identity is shaped by social influences? In a recent episode of Impact Theory, clinical psychologist Dr. Jordan B. Peterson delves into the concept of functional identity and how it is tied to our tendencies as children to self-regulate our behaviors in order to fit in with our peers. This exploration of self-identity and the role of peer groups is both thought-provoking and informative.
Identity is a Dramatic Role We Play Out
According to Jordan, our self-identity is essentially a dramatic role that we play out in the sociocultural landscape in which we live. Our identity is shaped by the roles we play among our peers, and our ability to leverage beyond the known in this landscape is anchored to those roles. Our notions of self-identity are constantly negotiated with others in order to mold to societal norms.
Subjective and Objective Experiences
Jordan introduces the concepts of subjective and objective experiences, highlighting the ways in which our personal experiences and the way we perceive them shape our identity. He explains that questioning oneself and not always getting what we want can be factors that impact our sense of self.
Functional Identity Gets What You Want
Jordan argues that a functional identity is the one that gets what you want, but that identity often comes at a price. Sacrifice and striving for more are essential for achieving goals, and he insists that we must be willing to make these sacrifices in order to achieve success.
The Reality of How Social Molding Crushes Identity
The reality is that social molding can often crush individual identity. It’s important to remember that our identities are not always entirely self-negotiated but are influenced by external factors such as societal norms and emotional conditioning.
The Problem with Insisting on an Identity
Jordan explains that insisting on a certain identity can limit one’s ability to adapt to new situations. He insists that identity should be able to be negotiated and re-negotiated as life presents new challenges and opportunities.
Relationship Between Responsibility and Rights
Jordan explores the relationship between responsibility and rights, arguing that taking responsibility for our actions is critical to developing a strong sense of self and achieving personal growth.
Striving for More: Slaying the Dragon
Jordan emphasizes the importance of slaying our personal dragons, those obstacles that stand in the way of our success. Similarly, he argues that striving for more is essential for achieving personal fulfillment.
Becoming Legendary Through Personal Evolution
In summary, the Impact Theory interview with Jordan Peterson explores the concept of self-identity and the role of peer groups, providing insight into our ability to negotiate our personal identity. By acknowledging the reality of societal norms and emotional conditioning, we can strive to constantly evolve our sense of self. In doing so, we can become legendary and achieve personal growth and fulfillment.
*****
See Original Source
Source Description
Join our Discord community so you don’t miss out on all the amazing things we are working on – http://impacttheory.com/discord. Here you will get direct access to Tom and the team PLUS exclusive content, offers, and so much more. Jump on in and get started on becoming legendary!
Is your notion of self-identity independent of social influences? Have you considered how much your identity has been negotiated with others since child-hood in order to be molded to the social norms? Clinical psychologist, Dr.Jordan B. Peterson uncovers the idea of functional identity and ties it to the tendencies you had as a child to self-regulate your behaviors in order to fit in. Your notion of self-identity and ability to leverage beyond the known in a logical landscape that navigates the unknown is anchored to the role you play among your peers. In this episode, you will travel through a conversation with Jordan and Tom that will push your view of peer groups, their role in shaping your identity, and how your responsibilities lie within your willingness to sacrifice and strive for more. Jordan explores the importance of slaying your dragons, and understanding that the ultimate battle is with yourself.
Order Jordan’s Book, ”Beyond Order”: https://amzn.to/3rkCjE4
SHOW NOTES:
Self-Identity | Jordan explains his theory for how identity is a dramatic role we play out. [1:33]
Logical Landscape | Jordan introduces subjective and objective experiences. [7:53]
Questioning Yourself | Jordan explains not getting what you want and identity. [9:10]
Functional identity | Jordan explains a functional identity that gets what you want. [12:03]
Tyranny of Culture | Jordan explains the reality of how social molding crushes identity. [15:19]
Identity Lies | Jordan shares his view of people deciding their own identity. [16:11]
Uncertainty | Jordan explains why people have a low tolerance to uncertainty [20:30]
Defining Identity | Tom and Jordan explore the elements of what makes identity. [23:49]
Identity Narrative | Jordan adds the fundamental element of identity and the story you tell together. [25:05]
Non-Negotiated Identity | Jordan explains the problem with insisting on an identity. [30:00]
Ethical Statement | Jordan explains the relationship between behavior and ethical statements. [37:30]
Responsibility | Jordan explains how responsibility and rights fit together. [40:01]
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy | Jordan reveals why you should run experiments to improve your quality of life. [44:05]
Resentment | Jordan uncovers the social and mental condition of acting from resentment. [48:15]
Artists | Jordan describes artists as intuitive and able to live in chaos and see possibility. [1:01:05]
Striving for More | Jordan questions the need to strive versus being happy with who and what we are. [1:04:26]
Slay the Dragon | Jordan elevates the meaning of slaying the dragon. [1:10:09]
Aim at One Thing | Jordan advises that aiming at something is better than nothing. [1:18:10]
Reality | Jordan shares a variation of Darwinian reality and objective reality. [1:22:05]
Prejudice Viewpoints | Jordan expands the idea of prejudices needed from excess information. [1:26:14]
Help | Jordan talks about the push-back he gets helping “deplorable” young men. [1:33:24]
Beyond Order | Jordan gets vulnerable and hopes it alleviates unnecessary suffering.” [1:37:10]
QUOTES:
“Your identity is the story you tell about your actions in the world, but it’s also your actions in the world” [25:32]
“If something’s valuable you will make sacrifices to attain it […] we could let go of something we value in the present, we would gain something we value even more in the future” [41:58]
“It’s harsh that the rewards of life are indiscriminately distributed, it’s hard on everyone, but it doesn’t help to become bitter.” [54:14]
“Are you a rebel because you can’t fit in or are you a rebel because you could fit in but you see a better way?” [57:01]
“the best we have may not always work, but it’s still the best we have and the fact that it might not work doesn’t mean that we should throw it away, it’s still the best we have.” [1:19:00]
“You’re always looking for ‘no’ because you can only say ‘yes’ to a limited number of things.” [1:26:26]
Follow Jordan:
Website: https://www.jordanbpeterson.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drjordanpeterson
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL_f53ZEJxp8TtlOkHwMV9Q
Twitter:https://twitter.com/jordanbpeterson?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Podcast: https://www.jordanbpeterson.com/podcast/
