Redirect

1. Common sense interventions often fail; scientific testing is crucial

Even better, we have powerful techniques at our disposal based on the story-editing approach.

Flawed interventions persist. Many popular programs, like Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) for trauma victims and D.A.R.E. for drug prevention, seem logical but actually prove ineffective or even harmful when scientifically tested. These "blistering" or "bloodletting" interventions highlight the danger of relying on common sense alone.

Scientific rigor is essential. Properly designed experiments with random assignment to treatment and control groups are necessary to determine an intervention's true impact. Without such testing, well-intentioned efforts can waste resources or cause unintended harm. Policy makers and program developers should prioritize evidence-based approaches and be willing to abandon or modify interventions that don't withstand scientific scrutiny.

2. Story editing: Redirecting personal narratives for lasting change

Small changes in interpretations can have self-sustaining effects, leading to long-lasting changes in behavior.

Narratives shape behavior. People's interpretations of themselves and their world profoundly influence their actions. By subtly redirecting these personal narratives, it's possible to create significant, enduring behavioral changes.

Effective story editing techniques:

• Writing exercises to process traumatic events
• Prompting new explanations for behavior
• Labeling actions to reinforce positive self-views
• Affirming core values to reduce threat and stress
• Reframing abilities as malleable rather than fixed

These approaches work by interrupting negative cycles of thought and behavior, fostering more adaptive interpretations that become self-reinforcing over time.

3. Happiness stems from meaning, hope, and purpose

We need to find meaning in our lives—to acquire what Aristotle called eudaimonia, a life well-lived with a sense of purpose and virtue.

Key components of well-being:

• Coherent core narratives answering life's big questions
• Optimistic outlook and effective coping strategies
• Sense of autonomy and progress toward meaningful goals

Practical happiness-boosting strategies:

• Writing about "best possible selves" to increase optimism
• Reframing negative events to find meaning and closure
• Engaging in volunteer work to foster purpose and connection
• Maintaining close social relationships
• Focusing on personal growth rather than fixed traits

While genetics and circumstances play a role, redirecting personal narratives can significantly enhance happiness and life satisfaction.

4. Parenting: Shape children's narratives with minimal intervention

As a parent, be mindful not only of what your children do, but of the narratives they are developing about themselves, their relationships, and the world at large.

Minimal sufficiency principle. Use the smallest rewards or punishments necessary to shape behavior. Overly controlling parenting or excessive incentives can undermine children's intrinsic motivation and prevent them from internalizing desired values.

Effective parenting strategies:

• Provide appropriate labels for children's behavior
• Foster secure attachment through consistent, responsive care
• Encourage a growth mindset about abilities
• Support autonomy while offering guidance
• Model and facilitate volunteer work and community engagement

By shaping children's narratives and interpretations from an early age, parents can profoundly influence their long-term development and well-being.

5. Volunteer work prevents risky teen behaviors

Engaging in volunteer work can lead to a beneficial change in how they view themselves, fostering the sense that they are valuable members of the community who have a stake in the future, thereby reducing the likelihood that they engage in risky behaviors, including unprotected sex.

Community service transforms self-image. Programs like Teen Outreach and Reach for Health, which incorporate volunteer work, significantly reduce teen pregnancy, substance abuse, and violence. These interventions work by changing how teens view themselves and their place in society.

Benefits of youth volunteering:

• Increases sense of engagement and belonging
• Fosters positive relationships with adults and peers
• Provides opportunities to develop skills and confidence
• Redirects narratives from alienation to community involvement

Encouraging teens to volunteer in areas aligned with their interests can be a powerful way for parents and schools to promote positive development and reduce risky behaviors.

6. Peer influence and social norms powerfully shape behavior

People are highly sensitive to social norms (information about what other people are doing and what they approve of), and subtle indicators of these norms can have dramatic effects on people's behavior.

Perceived norms drive action. People often overestimate how much their peers engage in or approve of certain behaviors, leading them to adjust their own behavior to match these inflated perceptions. This effect is particularly strong among adolescents and young adults.

Effective norm-based interventions:

• Correct misperceptions about peer behavior (e.g., alcohol use)
• Highlight positive norms and role models
• Use injunctive norms (what others approve of) in addition to descriptive norms
• Frame desired behaviors as typical of admired groups
• Leverage social media and entertainment to portray positive norms

By strategically communicating accurate social norms, it's possible to reduce harmful behaviors and encourage positive ones across various domains.

7. Stereotype threat undermines performance; affirmation counters it

Stereotype threat is a psychological state that people experience when they feel they are at risk of confirming a negative stereotype about a group to which they belong.

Mechanism of stereotype threat:

1. Awareness of negative stereotype
2. Anxiety about confirming the stereotype
3. Mental resources diverted to worry and self-monitoring
4. Decreased task performance, confirming the stereotype

Countering stereotype threat:

• Reframe tasks to avoid triggering stereotypes
• Teach about stereotype threat to reduce its power
• Affirm individuals' values and strengths in other domains
• Create identity-safe environments
• Promote growth mindsets about abilities

By understanding and addressing stereotype threat, educators and leaders can help close achievement gaps and create more equitable environments for all.

8. Small, targeted interventions can yield significant, lasting results

We have seen myriad story-editing interventions that used these principles to address a wide range of personal and social issues.

Power of targeted approaches. Well-designed, theory-based interventions can create lasting change by redirecting personal narratives at critical moments. These interventions are often surprisingly brief and simple, yet yield outsized results.

Examples of effective small-scale interventions:

• Writing about values to reduce racial achievement gaps
• Teaching growth mindsets to improve academic performance
• Prompting new friendship formation to reduce prejudice
• Reframing social belonging to increase college retention

The success of these interventions demonstrates the potential for relatively low-cost, scalable solutions to complex social problems. However, it's crucial to rigorously test and refine interventions, as even small differences in implementation can significantly impact outcomes.

Last updated: January 25, 2025