| International Standard Book Number |
9780063319257 (hardcover)
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| International Standard Book Number |
006331925X (hardcover)
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| Personal Name |
Hippel, William von, author.
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| Title Statement |
The social paradox : when finding what you want means losing what you need : autonomy, connection, and why we need both to find happiness / William von Hippel.
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| Edition Statement |
First edition.
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| Production, Publication, Distribution, Manufacture, and Copyright Notice |
New York, NY : Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2025.
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| Physical Description |
xxi, 278 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm.
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| Bibliography, Etc. Note |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 251-265) and index.
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| Formatted Contents Note |
Introduction -- Part I: The human balance. Competing motives ; Why we connect ; Why we need autonomy -- Part II: The major forces shaping autonomy and connection. Autonomous men, connected women ; Connection to the east, autonomy to the west ; Religion redefines autonomy and connection ; Connection to the left, autonomy to the right -- Part III: Off-balance. Cities and the great shift to autonomy ; Education, wealth, and supercharged autonomy ; Marriage and the struggle between connection and autonomy -- Part IV: Rebalancing. Reconnecting in a modern world ; Balancing and rebalancing your life -- Acknowledgments -- References -- Index.
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| Summary, Etc. |
Why do people who have so much, leading comfortable lives filled with unprecedented freedom, choice, and abundance-often feel so unhappy and unfulfilled? This phenomenon is a defining paradox of our time and one we endlessly seek to solve. In The Social Paradox, psychologist William von Hippel argues that we need to think about this problem in a new way. By changing our perspective, we might finally see the solution, bringing us greater happiness and more satisfying relationships. The key is to understand the interplay between our two most basic psychological needs, for connection and autonomy. Evolution made us dependent on one another for survival, instilling in us a strong need to connect. It also made us seek autonomy, so our ancestors could distinguish themselves within their groups, improving their chances to procreate and gain status. These two opposing needs are our most fundamental psychological drivers, and while our lives once ensured a happy balance between them, the opportunities of today's world have thrown it out of whack. As von Hippel explains, our modern world no longer demands connection but it provides endless opportunity for autonomy; this lopsidedness lies at the root of many of our most intractable problems. Recognizing this imbalance and working to counter it can drastically change how we make decisions, spend our time, and find happiness.
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| Subject Added Entry - Topical Term |
Evolutionary psychology.
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| Subject Added Entry - Topical Term |
Happiness Psychological aspects.
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| Subject Added Entry - Topical Term |
Interpersonal relations Psychological aspects.
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| Subject Added Entry - Topical Term |
Autonomy (Psychology)
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| Subject Added Entry - Topical Term |
Quality of life Psychological aspects.
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| Subject Added Entry - Topical Term |
Connectionism.
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| Index Term-Genre/Form |
Self-help publications.
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