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The Stories We Tell

The Stories We Tell

From personal identity to social systems, stories shape how we understand the world and what we believe is possible, fair, and true. Our tendency to think in narratives is a defining feature of human cognition and has been central to our survival. But how does this instinct shape the world we live in today? Which stories do we inherit without question, and whose interests do they serve? This blog explores the psychology of storytelling and how narratives may quietly influence our lives and the societies we inhabit.

Autonomy Measurement Illusion: Relational Influences on Indian Women’s Freedom

Autonomy Measurement Illusion: Relational Influences on Indian Women’s Freedom

Autonomy has long been measured as independent decision-making, built largely on Western samples. For Indian women, however, autonomy is negotiated within their families. Their own wishes come after those of their husbands and children, and sacrificing their desires for the good of the family has become the norm. This blog describes how this is a fundamental mismeasurement error of women’s agency, where relational determinants are eliminated rather than accommodated.