Good & Evil: Ditch the Labels, see the person, not the category.

In this solo episode, Andy Baker unpacks why calling someone a “good kid” or a “bad kid” (or colleague, or parent) is a trap. You’ll learn how confirmation bias, the fundamental attribution error, and the halo/horn effect quietly shape our judgments—then get practical, trauma-informed ways to move from moral labels to needs-based, descriptive language. Perfect for parents, teachers, and carers who want better relationships, calmer behaviour, and fairer decisions.

💙 Sponsored by Carers Card UK

Are you caring for someone, paid or unpaid? You could be missing out on thousands of pounds in discounts. Carers Card UK offers:

• ID card with emergency info access
• Exclusive discounts on gyms, days out, electrical goods, and more
• Access to a wellbeing hub, Carers Circle tool, and mobile app

All for less than the price of a box of chocolates per year. 🎟️ Order your card today

🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned

• Confirmation Bias (explainer) — how we only see what we expect: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation_bias

• Fundamental Attribution Error — why we blame their character but excuse our context: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundamental_attribution_error

• Halo/Horn Effect — first impressions that distort everything after: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halo_effect

• Targeting the Positive by Andy Baker (the TARGET model & de-escalation tools) Targeting the Positive with Behaviours That Challenge

🧠 Three Key Messages

1. Labels limit: “Good/bad” thinking triggers confirmation bias, making us collect evidence to prove ourselves right and miss the full picture.

2. Describe, don’t judge: Swap moral labels (“He’s aggressive”) for neutral, specific behaviour (“He shouted when asked to stop playing”). Curiosity beats certainty.

3. Need behind behaviour: Most behaviours serve a function (survival, regulation, communication, control). When we meet the need, behaviour improves.

⏱️ Chapter Timestamps

00:00 — The “good vs bad” trap: why it feels neat but harms decisions

00:19 — 💙 Sponsor: Carers Card UK

01:40 — Why black-and-white thinking shows up in care, education & home

02:21 — Spectrum thinking: people aren’t heroes or villains

03:14 — How labels drive prejudice, stigma & shame cultures

04:01 — Ignorance vs malice: why learning is non-negotiable in care

04:24 — Psychology 101: confirmation bias

05:10 — Fundamental attribution error in everyday life (and traffic!)

06:01 — Halo/horn effect: when looks & first impressions mislead us

07:14 — Moral lens vs needs lens: “What happened to you?”

08:21 — Practical reframes: replace labels with descriptive language

09:15 — Be a detective, not a judge: 3 context questions to ask

09:35 — The “benefit behind behaviour” (survival, regulation, communication, control)

10:20 — Create a balance sheet: record positives as diligently as incidents

11:14 — Notice & reinforce what you want to see more of

13:07 — Boundaries + understanding: compassion isn’t “excusing”

14:20 — Culture shift: stop cementing identities, start spotting strengths

15:01 — Your one-week challenge: swap judgment for curiosity

🎯 Why Listen to This Episode?

• Actionable: Concrete language swaps & prompts you can use today.

• Evidence-informed: Social-psychology concepts made practical for parents, teachers, and carers.

• Relationship-first: A humane, trauma-informed path to better behaviour and trust.

🔗 Connect with Us

📲 Instagram: @AbleTraining 📲 LinkedIn: Able Training 📲 TikTok: @AbleToCarePodcast 🌐 Website: AbleHub.uk

If you found this helpful, please rate, review & share with a colleague or fellow parent/carer who’d benefit. Your support helps the show reach the people who need it most.