Episode 9: Terror Management Theory: An Interview with Sheldon Solomon

6 Months or Less

Being human is pretty great. Our brains are large and sophisticated, which allows us to think and do things in ways that other animals cannot. With this intelligence, however, comes an existential burden: an awareness of our own mortality. In this episode, I interview social psychologist Sheldon Solomon. Sheldon Solomon is Professor of Psychology at Skidmore College in New York. He studies the effects of death awareness on human thoughts, feelings, and behavior. He, along with his colleagues Jeff Greenberg and Tom Pyszczynski, developed terror management theory, which posits that our awareness of our own mortality affects our daily lives in profound ways. You can read more about terror management theory in their book, The Worm at the Core: On The Role of Death in Life. You will also hear parts of a conversation with my very insightful and healthy three-year-old son as he realizes for the first time that he too is mortal.

Music: “Glitter” and “Wavy Glass” by Podington Bear and “Come As You Were” by Blue Dot Sessions

Thank you so much to Sheldon Solomon for decades of groundbreaking research and for the eye-opening conversation.

And thank you to my beautiful son for your sensitivity, your curiosity, and your depth.