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Re:Thinking with Adam GrantRe:Thinking with Adam Grant

Trigger warnings don't work!

RaQuel Hopkins is a therapist and HR professional whose hot takes on growth and well-being have challenged how many people talk and think about mental health. In this episode, Adam and RaQuel explore how some people use mental health labels as a crutch, discuss ways to expand our capacity instead of simply coping with emotional wounds, and address the problems with trigger warnings. They also debate what it takes to grow after trauma. The TED Audio Collective is a collection of podcasts for the curious. The TED Audio Collective videos may be used for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons License, Attribution–Non Commercial–No Derivatives (or the CC BY – NC – ND 4.0 International) and in accordance with our TED Talks Usage Policy (https://www.ted.com/about/our-organiz...). For more information on using TED for commercial purposes (e.g. employee learning, in a film or online course), please submit a Media Request at https://media-requests.ted.com.

Adam GranthostRaQuel Hopkinsguest
Oct 14, 20250mWatch on YouTube ↗

CHAPTERS

  1. 0:00 – 0:30

    Meta-analysis: trigger warnings don’t reduce distress or improve learning

    Adam Grant cites a recent meta-analysis of 24 studies (~7,000 participants) on the effects of trigger warnings. The results suggest warnings don’t lower distress after engaging with upsetting content and don’t boost learning outcomes.

    • •Meta-analysis scope: 24 studies, about 7,000 people
    • •Trigger warnings did not make people feel less distress afterward
    • •Trigger warnings did not lead to better learning from the content
    • •Evidence-based framing of the debate
  2. 0:30 – 0:35

    Why trigger warnings can increase anxiety: ‘double exposure’ to alarm

    Adam explains that trigger warnings can heighten anxiety by creating anticipatory fear before the content arrives. People experience anxiety once from the warning itself and again when encountering the distressing material.

    • •Trigger warnings can make people more anxious overall
    • •Anticipatory alarm adds a first wave of anxiety
    • •Distressing content produces a second wave of distress
    • •Mechanism: anxiety is amplified by expectation
  3. 0:35 – 0:41

    A mental-health alternative: provide support after difficult content

    Instead of warning people in advance, Adam argues that a more helpful approach is to ensure support is available afterward. This reframes the goal from pre-emptive alarm to responsive care.

    • •Goal: promote mental health without increasing anticipatory stress
    • •Prefer post-content support over upfront alarms
    • •Shift from warning to resources and follow-up help
    • •Practical implication for educators and content creators
  4. 0:41 – 0:46

    Conversation dynamics: trigger warnings create alarms on both ends

    RaQuel Hopkins agrees and adds that trigger warnings can generate alarm both before and after difficult moments—especially in interpersonal conversations. The warning itself can prime distress and the subsequent discussion can reinforce it.

    • •Trigger warnings may create ‘alarms on both ends’
    • •Particularly relevant in live conversations with other people
    • •Warnings can shape how people interpret and react to content
    • •Social context can amplify the warning’s effect
  5. 0:46 – 0:48

    Closing reflection: reluctance to add unnecessary alarm

    Adam closes by expressing that he doesn’t want to create that extra layer of alarm. The exchange ends with a shared acknowledgment that warnings can backfire when they intensify anxiety.

    • •Adam’s position: avoid practices that add anxiety
    • •Agreement between Adam and RaQuel on unintended effects
    • •Emphasis on minimizing unnecessary alarm
    • •Wrap-up of the core claim: warnings can backfire

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