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Who would be your ideal psychological party guest (living or dead)?

We asked on LinkedIn and X…

07 November 2023

Samuel Freeman on Linkedin
I'd bring God. I'd love to ask why humans had been given free will, when all the other animals in the world do a far better job than we do. Animals don't go to war, they don't murder, they don't hate, or get jealous with one another. So why give humans free will? 

@DrRachelLee on X
It would have to be Todd Kashdan. I'd like to chat about curiosity, embracing and supporting divergent thinking in ourselves and others, psychological flexibility and helping those who struggle to speak up to find their voice. Plus raising children who value all the above.

Arwen Claydon on Linkedin
Kate Bush. Thomas Mapfumo (musician and creator of chimurenga music). Several animals including my dog in human form (therefore able to speak) and possibly an octopus, a shoebill stork, a great whale and a great ape. A village leader from the people who erected the Calanais Standing Stones in Scotland. Buddha. Inez Beverly Prosser and Desmond Tutu. I think they would all make ideal psychological guests. If they were all allowed to bring along a friend of their choice, then it would get really interesting.

@AnastasiaRousak on X
Ian Parker so I can spam him with questions about Zizek's work.

Farah Tiwana on Linkedin
This is a tough question! My top choices would be Susie Orbach, because I absolutely loved her book, Fat is a Feminist Issue. Her book helped me develop a healthier relationship with food and my body. Then Christopher Bollas, because his book, The Shadow of the Object, helped me integrate psychodynamic perspectives into my work and also Sue Johnson, as I'd love to talk about attachment theory with her!

@IanCookson72 on X
How about Christopher Chabris and Daniel Simons? But only if one cooked in the gorilla suit.

Athina Metaxa on Linkedin
My psychological party guest would be Carl Jung. The collective unconscious concept amazes me. I am Greek, have lived in Italy and now live in the UK and work in private practice as a psychologist-counsellor. All the different people I've met are similar in their humanity, vulnerability and experiences. They are the proof that the collective unconscious exists. 

@fitchys_psych on X
I would quite like to see how Freud handles being psychoanalysed…

Rebecca Myers on Linkedin
Definitely Carl Jung for me. His work is fascinating! 

Caroline A on Linkedin
Milton Erickson, without question.

Ambreen Nadeem on Linkedin
I would want to have a detailed chat with Heinz Kohut. I would love to know more deeply about empathic attunement. How he worked on the narcissistic needs of a child. To me, the idea of studying optimal frustration is so pacifying. How important it is if we utilise it wisely.

Lee @Leebbuk
For a party? Who other than Colin Cherry, then maybe he can demonstrate his Cocktail Party Effect!

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