The Psychological Forces Behind A Cultural Reckoning: Understanding #MeToo

By Shankar Vedantam,

Jennifer Schmidt, Maggie Penman, Rhaina Cohen, Tara Boyle, Parth Shah

Published September 24, 2018 at 4:00 PM EDT

In 1989, <em>The Gloucester Daily Times </em>reviewed 'The Widow's Blind Date,' written by Israel Horovitz (center). It's a play that depicts a woman confronting her rapists. Jocelyn Meinhardt (right), who worked on the play at the time, says she was sexually assaulted by Horovitz.

1 of 9 — In 1989, The Gloucester Daily Times reviewed 'The Widow's Blind Date,' written by Israel Horovitz (center). It's a play that depicts a woman confronting her rapists. Jocelyn Meinhardt (right), who worked on the play at the time, says she was sexually assaulted by Horovitz.

In 1989, The Gloucester Daily Times reviewed 'The Widow's Blind Date,' written by Israel Horovitz (center). It's a play that depicts a woman confronting her rapists. Jocelyn Meinhardt (right), who worked on the play at the time, says she was sexually assaulted by Horovitz.

2 of 9 — Laura Crook, pictured outside her home in Gloucester, was in her 20s when she performed in Israel Horovitz's 1990 production of 'Strong-Man's Weak Child.' She is one of six women who accused Horovitz of harassment in 1993.

Laura Crook, pictured outside her home in Gloucester, was in her 20s when she performed in Israel Horovitz's 1990 production of 'Strong-Man's Weak Child.' She is one of six women who accused Horovitz of harassment in 1993.

In the 1990s, Laura Crook performed in the Israel Horovitz plays <em>Strong-Man's Weak Child</em> and <em>North Shore Fish</em>. Crook says Horovitz assaulted her on multiple occasions.

3 of 9 — In the 1990s, Laura Crook performed in the Israel Horovitz plays Strong-Man's Weak Child and North Shore Fish. Crook says Horovitz assaulted her on multiple occasions.

In the 1990s, Laura Crook performed in the Israel Horovitz plays Strong-Man's Weak Child and North Shore Fish. Crook says Horovitz assaulted her on multiple occasions.

4 of 9 — Poster for Israel Horovitz's production of 'North Shore Fish,' starring Laura Crook. Crook accused Horovitz of sexual harassment in 1993.

Poster for Israel Horovitz's production of 'North Shore Fish,' starring Laura Crook. Crook accused Horovitz of sexual harassment in 1993.

5 of 9 — Jana Mestecky was an assistant and later stage manager for Israel Horovitz in the 1990s. Mestecky says during that time, Horovitz kissed and groped her against her will.

Jana Mestecky was an assistant and later stage manager for Israel Horovitz in the 1990s. Mestecky says during that time, Horovitz kissed and groped her against her will.

Jana Mestecky (left) poses for a cast photo during production of the play <em>Des rats et des hommes</em>, directed by Israel Horovitz (front, third from left). The photo appeared in the French magazine, <em>L'Avant-Scène,</em> in 1994.

6 of 9 — Jana Mestecky (left) poses for a cast photo during production of the play Des rats et des hommes, directed by Israel Horovitz (front, third from left). The photo appeared in the French magazine, L'Avant-Scène, in 1994.

Jana Mestecky (left) poses for a cast photo during production of the play Des rats et des hommes, directed by Israel Horovitz (front, third from left). The photo appeared in the French magazine, L'Avant-Scène, in 1994.

7 of 9 — Maia Ermansons met Israel Horovitz (pictured) when she was 11. She would go on to perform in a number of short plays produced by Horovitz. In 2016, she called him out in a Facebook post and accused him of sexual misconduct. During the encounter, she says Horovitz told her, "Maia, no great woman ever became great by being a good girl."

Maia Ermansons met Israel Horovitz (pictured) when she was 11. She would go on to perform in a number of short plays produced by Horovitz. In 2016, she called him out in a Facebook post and accused him of sexual misconduct. During the encounter, she says Horovitz told her, "Maia, no great woman ever became great by being a good girl."

Maia Ermansons accused Israel Horovitz of sexually assaulting her in a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/maia.sage.7/posts/10154573523094732?pnref=story" target="_blank">Facebook</a> post in 2016.

8 of 9 — Maia Ermansons accused Israel Horovitz of sexually assaulting her in a Facebook post in 2016.

Maia Ermansons accused Israel Horovitz of sexually assaulting her in a Facebook post in 2016.

9 of 9 — We reached out to Israel Horovitz via email, phone, and mailed letters. Over email, he declined an interview, but said he finds sexual violence against women to be "abhorrent and intolerable."

We reached out to Israel Horovitz via email, phone, and mailed letters. Over email, he declined an interview, but said he finds sexual violence against women to be "abhorrent and intolerable."

Nearly a quarter century ago, a group of women accused a prominent playwright of sexual misconduct. A Boston newspaper published allegations of sexual harassment, unwanted touching and forced kissing. For the most part, the complaints went nowhere.

In 2017, more women came forward with accusations. This time, everybody listened.

On this episode of Hidden Brain, we explore the story through the lens of social science and ask, "Why Now?"

What has changed in our minds and in our culture so that allegations of sexual harassment and assault are being taken more seriously than they were in prior decades?

A note for listeners: This story includes descriptions of sexual harassment and assault. It may not be suitable for all listeners.

Further reading:

Private Truths, Public Lies by Timur Kuran

"Norm Perception as a Vehicle for Social Change" by Margaret E. Tankard and Betsy Levy Paluck

"Has Trump's Presidency Triggered the Movement Against Sexual Harassment?" by Ashwini Tambe

Hidden Brain is hosted by Shankar Vedantam and produced by Jennifer Schmidt, Rhaina Cohen, Parth Shah, Thomas Lu, and Laura Kwerel. Our supervising producer is Tara Boyle. Camila Vargas-Restrepo is our intern. You can also follow us on Twitter @hiddenbrain , and listen for Hidden Brain stories each week on your local public radio station.