In this episode we look at situations where someone flips the script – does the opposite of what their natural instinct is – and in this way, transforms a situation.

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In this episode we look at situation where someone flips the script – does the opposite of what their natural instinct is, and in this way transforms a situation. Usually when someone is hostile to us, we are hostile right back. The psychological term is "complementarity." But then in rare cases someone manages to be warm, and what happens as a result can be surprising. The episode starts with a story about a dinner party in DC, when an attempted robbery was foiled by... a glass of wine and some cheese. Then we travel across the pond, to Denmark, where police officers are attempting to combat the growing problem of Islamic radicalization with... love. And finally, we talk to a man who attempted to flip the script on one of our most basic animal functions: finding a mate.

Bonus Content:

NPR's health blog, Shots, will be producing special bonus content that explores the theme of each Invisibilia episode. The links below will go live as each feature is published or sign up for our newsletter to get it all delivered to your inbox on Mondays!

This week, Hanna Rosin explains what she found when she traveled to Denmark to check out a radical experiment in flipping the script. And on Saturday, psychologist Christopher Hopwood explains how therapists use the concept of noncomplementarity to help you make your own relationships better.

Also, check out this awesome video, in which performance collective Manual Cinema brings our D.C. dinner party story to life using only light and shadows.

Listen with friends! Host your own listening party using this guide from Generation Listen, including conversation starters to spark your discussion, snack ideas, a music playlist and more. You can find conversation catalysts specific to this episode here. Have fun!