# Why Who You Are Affects How You Think

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/if-then-6755579/why-who-you-are-affects-how-you-think
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/if-then-6755579/why-who-you-are-affects-how-you-think.md
Podcast: [If/Then](https://stenobird.com/podcast/if-then-6755579)
Published: 2026-04-22T07:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://op3.dev/e/tracking.swap.fm/track/zA4xtlPBvf2K1K9zesjz/mgln.ai/e/p853501/rss.art19.com/episodes/b794f8ea-8cbe-41ae-84c0-8ffd5d90567e.mp3?rss_browser=BAhJIg90cmFuc2NyaWJyBjoGRVQ%3D--952c5701c84ad333c69d5faa668f8177091704f0
Audio file: https://op3.dev/e/tracking.swap.fm/track/zA4xtlPBvf2K1K9zesjz/mgln.ai/e/p853501/rss.art19.com/episodes/b794f8ea-8cbe-41ae-84c0-8ffd5d90567e.mp3?rss_browser=BAhJIg90cmFuc2NyaWJyBjoGRVQ%3D--952c5701c84ad333c69d5faa668f8177091704f0
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/if-then-6755579/episodes/why-who-you-are-affects-how-you-think
Duration seconds: 1483

## Resource

“When people come to view attitudes and opinions towards, say, political policies or issues as relevant to their identities, they become more extreme in their attitudes,” says Christian Wheeler, the StrataCom Professor of Management and Professor of Marketing at Stanford Graduate School of Business. “I become more positive or negative towards an issue the moment it becomes relevant to who I view myself as being.” Wheeler’s research offers insight into our increasingly polarized politics. However, his work has also yielded ideas for bridging divisions — beginning with how we listen to each other and how we see the people we disagree with. The moment we see someone as an individual rather than a category, we become more likely to find common ground. “Instead of viewing you as a Democrat or a Republican, I can view you as an individual,” Wheeler recommends. “Anything that humanizes you and moves you away from this simple category will help me to view you as an individual and less as just an interchangeable member of a category.”  How much do your opinions define who you are? Tell us more at ifthenpod@stanford.edu . Related Content: Christian Wheeler faculty profile   In a Polarized World, an Open Mind Can Hurt Your Reputation You May Not Be Who You Think You Are Class Takeaways — How to Build Connection Through Better Listening Chapters: 00:00:02 Tattoos, identity, & personal evolution 00:03:26 Introduction 00:03:59 Why identity matters 00:04:56 Identity relevance & its implications 00:08:03 Why openness to the other side gets punished 00:10:57 Identities vs. opinions 00:13:53 The power of individuation 00:15:53 How to break the cycle of polarization  00:19:41 Organizational applications 00:23:26 Conclusion If/Then, from Stanford GSB, features conve…

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