Reframing the Battle of Wills

In this episode of Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam interviews psychologist Stuart Ablon about why people struggle to change their behavior and how to help them. Ablon shares personal anecdotes and research insights, emphasizing that behavior is often driven by a lack of skills rather than a lack of will. He introduces the concept of collaborative problem-solving, which involves empathy, understanding different perspectives, and working together to find mutually satisfactory solutions. Ablon also discusses the limitations of traditional reward and punishment systems and highlights the importance of building skills like emotion regulation, communication, and social thinking. The conversation explores practical strategies for inspiring change in various contexts, from personal relationships to professional settings, and emphasizes the benefits of this approach for both the individual and the person facilitating the change.