Empirical Research
Authentic Dialogue in Organizations a Dangerous Idea: Viewing the Art of Authentic Dialogue through the Science of Evolutionary Psychology
Reviewed By Melinda Spohn, PhD, LMHC
Volume 5 - Issue 1
Feb 14, 2007 - 3:41:45 PM

Dialogue is defined as a conversation between two or more persons with differing views; the primary purpose of which is for each participant to learn from the other so that she or he can change and grow (Swidler, 1998, p. 2). For true dialogue to occur it needs to take place within a safe environment of mutually accepted rights and responsibilities, and rooted in two fundamental values: respect for the human person and trust in the process of dialogue (The Art of Dialogue, ¶ 2). Uniting the art of authentic dialogue with the science of evolutionary psychology, which describes the origins of human behavior and cognition in terms of Darwinian biological and adaptive principles, considers whether true dialogue can safely occur in the presence of innate human behaviors such as: gossip, envy, and status seeking behavior.