Social Intelligence

📖 The Scoop

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 ʺwired to connectʺ 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 ʺneural balletʺ 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 ʺcatchʺ other peopleʼs 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 ʺdark sideʺ of social intelligence, from narcissism to Machiavellianism and psychopathy. He also reveals our astonishing capacity for ʺmindsight,ʺ as well as the tragedy of those, like autistic children, whose mindsight is impaired.

Genre: Psychology / Cognitive Psychology & Cognition (fancy, right?)