Talking to Strangers Terms

Coupling Theory is the idea that certain behaviors are “coupled,” or linked, with a particular set of circumstances. Gladwell introduces Coupling Theory in Chapter Ten in his analysis of Sylvia Plath’s suicide and suicide… read analysis of Coupling Theory

Displacement Theory is the idea that removing the opportunity for a behavior to occur will not prevent the behavior entirely; instead, it simply changes the conditions under which the behavior occurs. Displacement Theory differs from… read analysis of Displacement Theory

Hermanos al Rescate (“Brothers to the Rescue”) was a nonprofit air force founded by Cuban emigres who settled in Miami after fleeing Fidel Castro’s regime. The organization patrolled the Florida Straits in search of… read analysis of Hermanos al Rescate

“Mismatched” is the term Gladwell assigns to people whose external behaviors and demeanor do not align with their inner character or state of mind, or who do not behave the way society expects them to… read analysis of Mismatched

Preventative Patrol is a theory of policing developed by O.W. Wilson that proposes that having police cars patrol an area in a “constant, unpredictable motion” can reduce and prevent crime. Larry Sherman’s experiments with… read analysis of Preventative Patrol

The Reid Technique, developed by psychologist and former police officer John E. Reid in the 1950s, is a method of interrogation that teaches law enforcement “to use demeanor as a guide to judge innocence and… read analysis of Reid Technique

The Second Mile was a nonprofit organization that provided help for underprivileged and at-risk youth in Pennsylvania. Jerry Sandusky founded The Second Mile in 1977 and met many of his underage victims through their participation… read analysis of The Second Mile

Transparency is the idea that the way people behave or appear on the outside provides reliable, accurate insight into how they feel on the inside. While much of the media we consume might suggest that… read analysis of Transparency

Truth-Default Theory (TDT) is a theory developed by psychologist Tim Levine to explain how humans have a bias toward truth. Levine believes that we are better at detecting truth-telling than deception because we instinctually believe… read analysis of Truth-Default Theory