Therapy Chat · Laura Reagan, LCSW-C

473: The Neuroscience Of Us Vs. Them Thinking with Sarah Peyton

March 10, 2025·54 min·5 clips

Sarah Peyton uncovers how political leaders exploit disgust to trigger oxytocin rewards and deepen societal divisions.

This episode of Therapy Chat features host Laura Reagan in conversation with returning guest Sarah Peyton, a neuroscience educator and author. They explore the neurobiological underpinnings of divisive "us versus them" thinking and its impact on social connection. Peyton explains that the brain's default mode network, which manages our sense of self and social awareness, can become a source of internal distress, particularly for those with trauma histories. A key mechanism discussed is the "disgust circuit," a powerful emotional system that leaders can mobilize to create in-group/out-group dynamics. Peyton cites research showing that when people view images of those deemed "other," like homeless individuals, the brain may categorize them as objects rather than people. The experience of belonging to an in-group triggers an oxytocin reward, which feels bonding but simultaneously reduces empathy and nuanced perception of those outside the group. This process is linked to early, unconscious "agreements" we make with ourselves, often formed in infancy through interactions with caregivers, like suppressing emotions a parent could not mirror. One surprising insight is that the neurological rewards of exclusionary belonging can improve nervous system function, offering a temporary sense of safety and mattering to those with internalized insecurity. Peyton references the work of researcher Beatrice Beebe, who found infants as young as four months begin editing their facial expressions to match their mother's emotional vocabulary. She also mentions epigeneticist Moshe Szyf's concept that "our mother is in every cell of our prefrontal cortex," highlighting the profound early influence on brain development. The conversation suggests that reclaiming frozen emotional circuits, like healthy disgust, is crucial for establishing personal boundaries. The tone is educational and conversational, blending personal anecdote with scientific explanation to demystify complex brain functions. Listeners interested in the intersection of neuroscience, politics, and personal healing will find this episode compelling, while those seeking purely clinical therapy techniques may find the discussion more theoretical.

As heard by us

A calm look at how brains turn difference into distance, and why humility matters.

Therapy Chat explores the neuroscience behind us-versus-them thinking, with a steady focus on how the brain can shrink other people into something flatter, smaller, and easier to dismiss.

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Why you'd press play

For when you want a thoughtful look at how humility and inclusion can keep us emotionally alive to people who might otherwise blur together.

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