Social Intelligence
The New Science of Human Relationships
-
-
3.6 • 14 Ratings
-
-
- $4.99
Publisher Description
Emotional Intelligence was an international phenomenon, appearing on the New York Times bestseller list for over a year and selling more than five million copies worldwide. Now, once again, Daniel Goleman has written a groundbreaking synthesis of the latest findings in biology and brain science, revealing that we are “wired to connect” and the surprisingly deep impact of our relationships on every aspect of our lives.
Far more than we are consciously aware, our daily encounters with parents, spouses, bosses, and even strangers shape our brains and affect cells throughout our bodies—down to the level of our genes—for good or ill. In Social Intelligence, Daniel Goleman explores an emerging new science with startling implications for our interpersonal world. Its most fundamental discovery: we are designed for sociability, constantly engaged in a “neural ballet” that connects us brain to brain with those around us.
Our reactions to others, and theirs to us, have a far-reaching biological impact, sending out cascades of hormones that regulate everything from our hearts to our immune systems, making good relationships act like vitamins—and bad relationships like poisons. We can “catch” other people’s emotions the way we catch a cold, and the consequences of isolation or relentless social stress can be life-shortening. Goleman explains the surprising accuracy of first impressions, the basis of charisma and emotional power, the complexity of sexual attraction, and how we detect lies. He describes the “dark side” of social intelligence, from narcissism to Machiavellianism and psychopathy. He also reveals our astonishing capacity for “mindsight,” as well as the tragedy of those, like autistic children, whose mindsight is impaired.
Is there a way to raise our children to be happy? What is the basis of a nourishing marriage? How can business leaders and teachers inspire the best in those they lead and teach? How can groups divided by prejudice and hatred come to live together in peace?
The answers to these questions may not be as elusive as we once thought. And Goleman delivers his most heartening news with powerful conviction: we humans have a built-in bias toward empathy, cooperation, and altruism–provided we develop the social intelligence to nurture these capacities in ourselves and others.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this companion volume to his bestseller, Emotional Intelligence, Goleman persuasively argues for a new social model of intelligence drawn from the emerging field of social neuroscience. Describing what happens to our brains when we connect with others, Goleman demonstrates how relationships have the power to mold not only human experience but also human biology. In lucid prose he describes from a neurobiological perspective sexual attraction, marriage, parenting, psychopathic behaviors and the group dynamics of teachers and workers. Goleman frames his discussion in a critique of society's creeping disconnection in the age of the iPod, constant digital connectivity and multitasking. Vividly evoking the power of social interaction to influence mood and brain chemistry, Goleman discusses the "toxicity" of insult and unpleasant social experience as he warns of the dangers of self-absorption and poor attention and reveals the positive effects of feel-good neurochemicals that are released in loving relationships and in caregiving. Drawing on numerous studies, Goleman illuminates new theories about attachment, bonding, and the making and remaking of memory as he examines how our brains are wired for altruism, compassion, concern and rapport. The massive audience for Emotional Intelligence will revel in Goleman's latest passionately argued case for the benefits to society of empathetic social attunement.
Customer Reviews
Love it
Every doctor and nurse should read his books.
Which second invasion of Iraq ?
The writer mentioned that the second American invasion of Iraq in the beginning of the prologue, and fiction story of visiting town and kneeling soldiers for the agitated people around and mentioning something bigotry of saying Muslim people rather than saying people in town, I understand you need to explain an idea but first be honest to give the feeling of reader that can trust you to keep interesting of reading the book not find from the beginning lies and throw the book away
Too Bad
It's such an interesting topic but I wish someone else had written this.
He cites many examples to back up what he's trying to say but it's so disconnected. It doesn't feel like it's getting anywhere. And so what? What does this example MEAN? Why is it important? Is that a GOOD thing, a BAD thing? Meh.
It's ironic that this book is often about how we pick up on unconscious social cues and yet the writer seems out of touch - like he's from another time. He uses words like "busybody" and "hitherto" and I can overlook that but every other line is a metaphor and every other one of those metaphors uses the word "dance". Every social interaction between two people is a "subtle dance." YUCK.
Maybe it's more obvious to me because I'm listening to the audio version, but every time he says it, I groan.
Too bad.