Description
Book SynopsisWhy are we influenced by the behaviour of complete strangers? Why does the brain register similar pleasure when I perceive something as ''fair'' or when I eat chocolate? Why can we be so profoundly hurt by bereavement? What are the evolutionary benefits of these traits? The young discipline of ''social cognitive neuroscience'' has been exploring this fascinating interface between brain science and human behaviour since the late 1990s. Now one of its founding pioneers, Matthew D. Lieberman, presents the discoveries that he and fellow researchers have made. Using fMRI scanning and a range of other techniques, they have been able to see that the brain responds to social pain and pleasure the same way as physical pain and pleasure; and that unbeknown to ourselves, we are constantly ''mindreading'' other people so that we can fit in with them. It is clear that our brains are designed respond to and be influenced by others. For good evolutionary reasons, he argues, we are wired to be social.
Table of ContentsPREFACE; PART ONE: BEGINNINGS; PART TWO: CONNECTION; PART THREE: MINDREADING; PART FOUR: HARMONIZING; PART FIVE: SMARTER, HAPPIER, MORE PRODUCTIVE; EPILOGUE
