Social

Why our brains are wired to connect

Matthew D. Lieberman (University of California Los Angeles)

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Hardback

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English

Oxford University Press
10 December 2013

Psychology; Cognition & cognitive psychology; Popular science; Neurosciences

Why 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 to respond to and be influenced by others. For good evolutionary reasons, he argues, we are wired to be social. The implications are numerous and profound. Do we have to rethink what we understand by identity, and free will? How can managers improve the way their teams relate and perform? Could we organize large social institutions in ways that would work far better? And could there be whole new methods of education?

By: Matthew D. Lieberman (University of California Los Angeles)
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 236mm, Width: 163mm, Spine: 36mm
Weight: 720g
ISBN: 9780199645046
ISBN 10: 0199645043
Pages: 384
Publication Date: 10 December 2013
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Preface Part One: Beginnings 1: Who Are We? 2: The Brain's Passion Part Two: Connection 3: Broken Hearts and Broken Legs 4: Fairness Tastes Like Chocolate Part Three: Mindreading 5: Mental Magic Tricks 6: Mirror, Mirror 7: Peaks and Valleys Part Four: Harmonizing 8: Trojan Horse Selves 9: Panoptic Self Control Part Five: Smarter, Happier, More Productive 10: Living with a Social Brain 11: Working with a Social Brain 12: Educating the Social Brain Epilogue

Reviews for Social: Why our brains are wired to connect

This is a compelling and thought-provoking book. Grrl Scientist Lieberman animates our grey matter as a frenziedly active kernel looking for ways to synchronize our reflexes with others. Amelia Walsh, The Observer SOCIAL is the book I've been waiting for: a brilliant and beautiful exploration of how and why we are wired together, by one of the field's most prescient pioneers. Daniel Gilbert, professor, Harvard University, bestselling author of Stumbling On Happiness This fascinating, beautifully written book brings the exciting research on our social nature and the brain to life Shelley Taylor, distinguished professor, UCLA, author of The Tending Instinct This fascinating, beautifully written book brings the exciting research on our social nature and the brain to life Shelley Taylor, distinguished professor, UCLA, author of The Tending Instinct