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    Situations Matter: Understanding How Context Transforms Your World
    Unavailable
    Situations Matter: Understanding How Context Transforms Your World
    Unavailable
    Situations Matter: Understanding How Context Transforms Your World
    Audiobook8 hours

    Situations Matter: Understanding How Context Transforms Your World

    Written by Sam Sommers

    Narrated by Joshua Swanson

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    An entertaining and engaging" exploration of the invisible forces influencing your life-and how understanding them can improve everything you do.

    The world around you is pulling your strings, shaping your innermost instincts and your most private thoughts. And you don't even realize it.

    Every day and in all walks of life, we overlook the enormous power of situations, of context in our lives. That's a mistake, says Sam Sommers in his provocative new book. Just as a museum visitor neglects to notice the frames around paintings, so do people miss the influence of ordinary situations on the way they think and act. But frames- situations- do matter. Your experience viewing the paintings wouldn't be the same without them. The same is true for human nature.

    In Situations Matter, Sommers argues that by understanding the powerful influence that context has in our lives and using this knowledge to rethink how we see the world, we can be more effective at work, at home, and in daily interactions with others. He describes the pitfalls to avoid and offers insights into making better decisions and smarter observations about the world around us.



    "
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateDec 29, 2011
    ISBN9781101533055
    Unavailable
    Situations Matter: Understanding How Context Transforms Your World

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    Reviews for Situations Matter

    4/5

    54 ratings19 reviews

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    • 4/5
      An interesting and quick read. I was a little concerned going into the book that it would be more self-help than psychology, but while it's written in a breezy, and rather snarky, voice, its information is still very much grounded in real research. Which isn't to say it won't have you rethinking the way you perceive the world, which may serve the same purpose as self-help, that is only tangentially its purpose. Many of the studies referenced in the book will be well known to people who are familiar with psychology, but enough new information, or framing of information, is included to make it interesting. From the way people behave in crowds to the subtle racism (or any other -ism) people exhibit without conscious thought, the book is a fascinating look at how the context of a situation can have more impact on behavior that we like to admit, or realize. If you enjoy psychology books written for the layman, or you think you might, and books that may change the way you perceive situations and people, this book may be for you. It is written with a nice balance between easy to read language and real information backed up by research.
    • 4/5
      I enjoyed this book... I do agree that a lot of it is fairly common sense, but there is much valuable insight to be gained through being conscious of situational thinking which I think most of us could learn from. The book was well written and easy to understand, and overall, I was impressed. Great insight to be gained from the contents of this book, if one analyzes himself and others closely. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in psychology or sociology.
    • 5/5
      We all act a little differently in different situations, right? Sure, but this book is about so much more than that! There are so many things in our lives, from who we love to how well we do on math tests, that have to do with context. This book is a real eye-opener.

      We have a false confidence in our ability to predict the behavior of others. It is easier, as the author says, to see others as "what you see is what you get," than to actually consider the context of the other person. We like to see the world as a stable place, even if that means someone going to jail because "people like that" are always guilty. When we're preoccupied, we're even less likely to notice situational influences on others. The next time someone makes you angry, stop to think about the circumstances they are/could be facing, their background, culture, affiliations, etc. and how that effects their behavior.

      Other things I learned:

      -The self is flexible - we should focus more on effort than aptitude.
      -We see ourselves with rose-colored glasses, and that is okay because otherwise we'd be miserable and wallowing in self-doubt. The people most content with their lives have unrealistically high opinions of themselves.
      -You look at people in your in-groups with the same rose-colored glasses you use for yourself.
      -The strongest influence on whether you'll stop to help someone: if you're in a rush.
      -People are more helpful when they're happy.
      -If you're in need of assistance, call people out individually and tell them how to help.
      -If someone else is in need of assistance in a crowd, never assume that someone else will take care of it
      -How we feel about ourselves varies with location, mood, time of day, etc.
      -Who we love - and hate - is based on proximity.
    • 4/5
      Situations Matter, as I see it, fits nicely into an emerging family of books on human irrationalities, along with Dan Gilbert's Stumbling on Happiness and Dan Ariely's Predictably Irrational. These books point out all sorts of irrational choices that we consistently make. For example, if someone won a prize of their choice of a free trip to Rome or a free trip to Paris, the award giver can heavily influence the winners choice by also offering a free trip to Rome but with no coffee included. If you're interested in human behaviour, you should definitely read one of these books. Which one you start with probably isn't important and the chances are that you'll wind up reading all of these.These books share a similar structure: they start with some anecdotes, make a claim of its generalization, cite some studies, and repeat. I found that Situations Matter went further into personal anecdotes and it had a more playful writing style. At first, I was put off by this, feeling that it was a waste of time for a scientific book to meander like that. But those stories were a lot of fun, and it helped me to get up to a good reading pace for the whole book.I've read about a dozen books like this and not all of them are exciting, but this one is (and so are the other two mentioned above). Lastly, although it's not meant as a self help book, it's enlightening enough that I feel helped after reading it.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      The power of context is made very apparent by this book. Each chapter deals with situations where the context shapes or controls the way you react to a situation. Whether it's diffusion of crowds (where a whole set of people can hear something going on, and everyone assumes "someone else" will do it, or the power of presumed authority figures, it covers the territory fairly well.It captured my interest, and was timely in helping me understand the psychological implications of a marketing project I was consulting on. It also has a comprehensive bibliography.Recommended.
    • 4/5
      I really enjoyed this book. The author's sense of humor made some of the potentially dry topics interesting. How crowd behavior can cause us to behave in ways we would never believe is fascinating. I must admit I enjoyed the first half of the book more than the second half as I felt the author got too serious in the later chapters and I felt like I was being preached to instead of the bright writing style in the first half of the book. Well worth reading though.
    • 3/5
      Sam Sommers addresses the issue of situational context as a behavioral predictor. The writing is pretty uneven. It's meant to be light-hearted and funny, but sometimes it is just awkward. A lot of what is presented is common sense, but it is also stuff that we tend not to think about. It did give me a reminder to pay attention to my surroundings and live in the moment instead of running on autopilot.
    • 4/5
      Sam Sommers takes on a new angle of social research, that of context. With a multitude of usually amusing case studies, Sommers shows how what is happening around us shapes what we notice, remember, and react to. By highlighting the sometimes destructive ways context shapes our thoughts, Sommers provides ways to reduce biases in many situations -- and to manipulate context for your own benefit. An excellent, well-researched read!
    • 4/5
      I enjoyed this book... I do agree that a lot of it is fairly common sense, but there is much valuable insight to be gained through being conscious of situational thinking which I think most of us could learn from. The book was well written and easy to understand, and overall, I was impressed. Great insight to be gained from the contents of this book, if one analyzes himself and others closely. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in psychology or sociology.
    • 3/5
      The thing about this book is that it is fairly common sense that situations matter. Of course, situational thinking is important and shapes our daily lives. Still, it is interesting to see it examined and studied in such a way.
    • 4/5
      Situations Matter by Sam Sommers is a very well written and approachable work devoted to the importance of understanding the psychology of situations, and how much situational context plays a role in our actions, reactions, and the actions of those who we interact with. Sommers has two daughters, and his observations on the gender-biased contextual clues we give to our daughters was especially interesting to me, as the father of a five year old girl. If the book doesn't grab you from the start, skip ahead to this chapter, especially if you are a parent concerned about the gender-biased messages prevalent in our culture.
    • 5/5
      As someone who enjoys books about human behavior, I found this text to be both interesting in voice and in content. Situations do matter, and affect our behavior in ways we may not initially recognize. The author offers interesting insights and points to ponder, and I have recognized more of those situational factors as I go through my day-to-day life. A worthwhile read...
    • 3/5
      I originally was anxious to read this book because I generally agreed with the premise and felt it might offer some useful additional insights, being written by a popular psychology professor. And, I have flipped through the pages and read bits and pieces on several occasions, assuming that one of those times something would picque my interest or curiosity. I am a retired business professor, and have seen so many of this type of book, I guess I'm just worn out of them. For someone who is new to the subject and is looking for an easy read, I think this might be a useful book. I'm confident the author will sell a good number of them. I really want to like it… I just cannot get through it, myself, however. I don't want to believe it is just me with the problem, since some other reviews have had some similar comments - along with, rightfully, some very positive things to say. I need to get this written and posted. Best wishes!
    • 2/5
      While I think the concept is an intriguing one, I'm not convinced that it merits much more than a 500 word essay. Stretching it to fit an entire book is really belaboring the point. Couldn't finish it.
    • 4/5
      I enjoyed how this book made visible a critical concept that influences everything we think and every interaction we have. Sommers' main point is that context can significantly influence our choices and the reactions we and others have to any given scenario. We're more amiable to the familiar. We're more influenced by factors such as gender when context emphasizes them. We can be more or less understanding of someone invading our space based on our assumptions and the actualities of their situation (when we take the time to realize them). I also appreciate how well Sommers simplifies his points with good examples and just enough humor.
    • 4/5
      Situations matterBookstores are filled with the latest in pop behavioral studies. Malcolm Gladwell is one of the more prominent writers that has made the subject so popular with books like Blink and Outliers. It is an encouragement to look closer on how we behave in certain situations and the causation. What Sam Sommers does in his new book Situations Matter is to go over the same territory, but instead of just looking at the phenomenon he also examines what to do about it. At the heart of it, is an encouragement to be more aware of situations and understand what is really go on. Don't be deceived by WYSIWIG (what you see is what you get) thinking, look deeper in order to avoid being a passive bystander when an emergency is unfolding, or being deceived by emotions that are being manipulated.It's a refreshing perspective after reading so many similar books. The hook of so many is the "wow" factor. Isn't it interesting how people act out of character? Then, the writers will just leave it there and we are supposed to be in awe of the revelation. Sommers, instead wants to give you tools to fight this type of passive thinking so hopefully, the next time Dateline pulls a candid camera "What would you do" you don't look like an uncaring bystander while someone is being kidnapped right in front of you.From the inertia of crowds (more people means less responsibility) to how physiology and location affect your love life (an activity that quickens the heart may make you appear more appealing to your date) Sommers describes in humorous detail how we are influenced and how to take a step back and make a situational assessment in order to counter these influences. after reading you will probably see your surroundings with a whole new perspective."In daily life, even when we should know better, we endorse the idea of WYSIWIG (or wizzywig, if you prefer) when we assumed the behavior we observe of another person at a particular point in time provides an accurate glimpse of the "true product" within." p. 18"Assuming the perspective of others is one way to make sure that you don't lose sight of the small factors that have huge impacts on the people with whom you interact. And rediscovering the power of situations will do more than make you a more patient human being--it'll improve your ability to navigate social settings and make you better at your job to boot."p. 41" For example, the next time you're in the midst of a political argument or heated negotiation, take time out before angrily concluding that you're butting heads with a zealot or hopeless curmudgeon. Instead, force yourself to see the discussion from your opponent's point of view--even if fleetingly. Not because it will make you a kindler gentler person, but because it'll make you more likely to win out in the end." p. 45"Crowd. Lack of responsibility. Crowd. Someone else will take care of this." p. 56"Reponsibility diffuses in groups. Chemists talk about diffusion in terms of molecules spreading from areas off high concentration to low concentration. The same thing happens to feelings of obligation and responsibility in a crowd." p. 63"the more we understand about situational obstacles to helping, the better we're able to avoid them; knowing about bystander apathy makes mindless passivity less likely." p. 75"even without direct consequences, few of us are comfortable with the idea of making obviously inaccurate statements in public. But this is precisely what most of Asch's respondents opted to do, demonstrating just how powerful the pressures to conform are." p. 93"it's the shifting stands of normative conformity that accounts for how a name can go from the punchline of a movie joke--the mermaids so naive she picked "Madison off a street sign--to the fourth most popular girls name in America less than three decades later." p.97"if you want to avoid undue conformity, you have to be vigilant-- against both the intentional efforts of others as well as you're own mindless tendnecy to go along with the crowd. The subtlest strategies of social influence usually only work when the target isn't aware of them; realizing that someone is pulling your strings is enough to get you to yank right back."p. 113"In other words, seeing the self as a static and stable entity is what puts us on the defensive and mandates chronic self-deception. Think of a characteristic like intelligence in terms of fixed capacity and the poor exam grade or subpar performance review becomes intolerably threatening. Instead, you should train yourself to view intellect--and any other aspect of your personal skill set--as a muscle that grows with effort and atrophied with neglect. Wen you accept that the answer to "Who am I?" should be written in pencil and not pen, threats become opportunities and failures transform into life lessons. Even if this isn't how you usually see things, it's not too late to start now." p. 144
    • 3/5
      I know some people will be fascinated by this book. I did not fall for the marketing trap. It is an all right book, not a great book though.It is something that we have seen in many other books, I would say hundreds of books especially in the last 20 years.There is little need to go into detail of what the book is about, instead lets cover the basics.The writing style is something that needs to be fixed. Is the author going for a more jokey style of explaining the different situations, or a more thorough analysis with research to back him up? What we get is a combination of both styles and both styles falling flat.His writing is easy for the reader to follow and get, but it becomes repetitive, trivial and boring after awhile. His writing is not that bad, and he might make some good points they just get lost.It is hard to say what makes this book different from all the others on the market that are exactly like this one.
    • 4/5
      A great book on how situations effect the way we make decisions and see the world. It was definitely written with the layperson in mind, though it does have enough studies thrown in to keep those of us who majored in the subject in college interested. The first part of the book covered lots of items I remember from my Social Psychology class, but the 2nd part gets into research I hadn’t seen before. The most illuminating chapter was Mars and Venus here on Earth. The fact that there will be sex differences on math tests, but if you tell women that the test is neutral (without actually changing it) you can eliminate those differences, is fascinating. There are several interesting tidbits like that, as well as other ways we can avoid being effected by situations.Sommers writes in a way that reminds me of some of my favorite college professors. He writes with a nice amount of humor to keep the readers interested and brings big ideas down to a personal level. I think this would be a great alternative or companion to an Intro to social psychology class. Also, great for anyone who loves psychology.
    • 5/5
      Sam Sommers, Psychology Professor from Tufts University, has written an interesting book about context that compares to books written by journalist Malcolm Gladwell. If you liked Blink and The Tipping Point, you would enjoy Sommers' analysis of the importance of paying attention to the situational elements of life which can deeply affect how we understand ourselves, our relationships and our community.Sommers' readable book combines personal anecdotes from his teaching life and family, stories from popular culture, and current psychological studies to illustrate interesting concepts about day to day problems. My favorite chapter was called "You're not the person you thought you were" and discusses how our own self-perceptions are shaped daily--perhaps hourly--by the context in which we find ourselves. He critiques the idea of the authentic self because the self we wish to be within our family might be different that the self we want to be at work and so on. The self is ever a work in progress, and no self-help book on earth tries to explain that to us.He does a good chapter on gender which I also enjoyed, but found it overlapped with some reading I had done on current gender trends by Peggy Orenstein in Cinderella ate my Daughter. The chapter on race described a lot of training I had many years ago when I worked as a student affairs administrator. Those ideas were re-treads for me, but my own unique context might be different from another reader's. I loved the chapter on finding a mate and falling in love. I also loved the chapter on why often many people witnessing a crime or distressing event fail to act. We really aren't bad people. Perhaps lazy, but not malicious. He ends with several emails and anecdotes from former students who have taken his ideas and theories and used them in the wider world. All the information felt really useful and practical for understanding common situations.Much of his storytelling and thinking seemed to me, fresh and original. I read several chapters of this book aloud to my husband as we drove to various destinations on the Thanksgiving holiday. The stories and ideas prompted thoughtful conversation with one of the most interesting people I know. (Wanted you to know my own context for enjoying this book.) I highly recommend Situations Matter.