Social

February 24, 2014
Psychologist and UCLA professor Lieberman examines why humans are such naturally social creatures. Is it purely a biological imperative to ensure the proliferation of the species? Are we social simply because mankind needs to keep fornicating? Lieberman believes otherwise. Ultimately, he posits that human brains experience social pain and pleasure in much the same way they experience physical plain and pleasure. Consequently, many businesses and working environments—which attempt to eliminate social distractions are actually doing something self-defeating; such policies, Lieberman argues, shut off the “social brain” leaving many resources untapped and making the workplace less productive and healthy. Chamberlain’s narration is very clear—if a bit nasally—and he boasts excellent pacing and inflection. But most importantly, he takes what could have been dry, arcane material and produces and interesting and entertaining listening experience. A Crown hardcover.

July 29, 2013
It seems natural that when a person is rewarded with a cash prize there is intense activity in the pleasure centers of his or her brain. But why do we experience neurally identical pleasure when giving away money? Why is the emotional pain of being left out of a game of catch identical to that of physical injury? Using the latest research in neuroscience, Lieberman, an award-winning social psychologist, shows readers how their brains may be wired, first and foremost, to harmonize and connect with others, rather than simply to act in their own interests. With the help of new functional MRI technology, Lieberman explores the surprising new science of social interaction, investigating how our perceptions of others affect our cognition and, even more elementally, how social interaction and its absence can produce the same mental responses as physical pain and pleasure, as well as what that fact might mean about the evolution of the brain. Lieberman’s findings are convincing: over the course of their evolution, humans have developed sophisticated means of responding to group challenges and the norms of altruism and cohesion have become ingrained in neural biology. The end of the book outlines how to integrate social cognition into teaching and management. Social is a far-ranging and sometimes long-winded introduction to how humans think together. Agent: Max Brockman, Brockman Inc.

August 15, 2013
Lieberman (Psychology, Psychiatry, and Biobehavioral Sciences/UCLA) offers scientific evidence to counter the idea that the need to survive and reproduce is the fundamental driver of human behavior. The author rejects Abraham Maslow's 1943 formulation of a hierarchy of needs stacked in a pyramid, suggesting that the pyramid is upside down. Physiological needs and safety are at the bottom, followed by social needs and esteem, which Lieberman describes as "the extra scoops of ice cream" and "cherry on top." He shows countervailing evidence, amassed over the past two decades, that shows social needs to be as basic as their physiological counterparts. Using MRI, the author and his associates have identified a separate area of the brain in which social cognition occurs. It is activated when we "think about other people's minds...[and] promotes understanding and empathy, cooperation, and consideration." Along with the capacity for empathy provided by mirror neurons, which we share with other species, it is the part of the brain that we use when we think "about the social world and our place in it." It also allows us to function effectively in the larger social groups that are typical of human societies, as compared to other primates, and to function collectively in more complex ways. Mammalian young depend on a caretaker from the moment of their birth in order to survive. "Our need for connection is the bedrock upon which the others are built," writes the author. Empathy, love and our need for social connections follow. A fascinating explanation of why "a broken heart can feel as painful as a broken leg" and social recognition is frequently prized above money.

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September 15, 2013

Renowned psychologist Lieberman (psychology, Univ. of California, Los Angeles; founding editor, Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience) takes a close look at just how essential it is to maintain an active social life and connect to others in order to survive. He flips Maslow's hierarchy of needs (which ranks social needs as less crucial than physiological and security needs) on its head and, with clear examples and current research in social cognitive neuroscience, claims that social connectedness is our first true need in life. Without these connections, he notes, our species would never have survived. Lieberman equates social pain and rejection with physical pain and social rewards with pleasure. He discusses our need for acceptance, recognition, and connection in all aspects of our lives, from school to work to our personal relationships. Now, with the Internet and the explosion of social media, there has been a huge shift in how we connect, but has it really made us more social? Lieberman's book addresses this question. VERDICT All readers--business professionals, educators, and users of social media in particular--can apply Lieberman's text to their daily lives. Recommended for all collections. [See Prepub Alert, 4/15/13.]--Jill Morningstar, Michigan State Univ. Libs., East Lansing

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September 1, 2013
Do we really know what drives us? Compelling evidence is emerging that shows that, more than money or other extrinsic incentives, the human brain gets a hefty reward by forging connections with others. That evidence, much of it uncovered by Lieberman, a pioneer of social cognitive neuroscience, is presented in a collegial manner in this often-surprising account. He contends that the human brain has been primed by evolution to view the world in social terms. With the details from study after study, many of them based on imaging scans that examine activity in certain parts of the brain, Lieberman's book is perfect for Malcolm Gladwell fans who want to delve much deeper into the biology behind our social abilities. The investigations reveal the impressive social abilities we hold, often unappreciated but noticeable when lacking in others, and so ingrained they may influence our very sense of self. The book provides anecdotes and insights sure to be shared with others because, after all, we're social creatures.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)