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Loneliness

Human Nature and the Need for Social Connection

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Loneliness

Written by: John T. Cacioppo, William Patrick
Narrated by: Dick Hill
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Summary

 John T. Cacioppo's groundbreaking research topples one of the pillars of modern medicine and psychology: the focus on the individual as the unit of inquiry. By employing brain scans, monitoring blood pressure, and analyzing immune function, he demonstrates the overpowering influence of social context - a factor so strong that it can alter DNA replication. He defines an unrecognized syndrome, chronic loneliness; brings it out of the shadow of its cousin, depression; and shows how this subjective sense of social isolation uniquely disrupts our perceptions, behavior, and physiology, becoming a trap that not only reinforces isolation but can also lead to early death. He gives the lie to the Hobbesian view of human nature as a "war of all against all," and he shows how social cooperation is, in fact, humanity's defining characteristic. Most important, he shows how we can break the trap of isolation for our benefit both as individuals and as a society.©2008 John T. Cacioppo and William Patrick (P)2008 Tantor Biological Sciences Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Relationships Science Human Brain
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What the critics say

"Top-notch science writing: stimulating and useful information conveyed in accessible prose." ( Kirkus)
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This feels like pressing information during a time where technology habits are more deeply entrenching social isolation than ever before. I can’t believe I hadn’t heard of it before and am glad and sobered to have read it.

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