If you're like most people, you probably believe that your identity is stable. But in fact, your identity is constantly changing - often outside your conscious awareness and sometimes even against your wishes - to reflect the interests of the groups of which you're a part. That fluid identity has a powerful influence over your feelings, beliefs and behaviours.

In The Power of Us, psychologists Dominic Packer and Jay Van Bavel integrate their own cutting-edge research in psychology, neuroscience and economics to explain what identity really is and show how to harness its dynamic nature to:

• Increase our productivity.
• Improve physical and psychological health.
• Overcome our individual prejudice.
• Unlock our altruism.
• Break the political gridlock.
• Galvanise others to solve controversial but persistent global problems.

Along the way, they explain such seemingly unrelated phenomenon as why men cry at football games but not funerals, why the history of slavery in US counties is one of the best predictors of current day racism and why Canada keeps a national reserve of maple syrup.

Packed with fascinating insights, vivid case studies and a wealth of pioneering research, The Power of Us will change the way you understand yourself - and the people around you - forever.