Matthew Lieberman, a neural-social scientist, explores cutting edge research regarding human sociability in his book, "Social: Why Our Brains are Wired to Connect." Lieberman presents compelling evidence the most important thing our brain does for us is equip us to be social and focused on relationships. Evolution solved the problem of getting bigger brains out of the womb by requiring humans to become more social. By growing the brain outside of the womb (while still being cared for by adults), brains were able to grow to maturity outside the womb. Having bigger brains, in turn, allows us to solve more complex problems. But the cost was we humans had to become more social, more easily influenced by others. We are far more social creatures than we think.
Research indicates the default mode for our brains is set to social. When an individual pauses between a question or task, the part of their brain that lights up is the part devoted to social tasks, not intellectual or other tasks. When we are resting, our brains wander to ponder social interactions and our relationships.
Lieberman discusses research on physical versus social pain. The saying "sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me" turns out to be false. Research shows the same areas of the brain light up for physical pain as for emotional pain. The pain networks in our brain light up even if mere strangers are the ones rejecting us. Interestingly enough, taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) reduces both the physical and the emotional pain experienced after social rejection, whether romantic or other.
A further example involves the neural networks that light up when we receive a monetary reward - the same neural networks light up when we give money away. We believe we are wired to be selfish, yet we derive pleasure from helping others.
Another example concerns a debate between presidential candidates Ronald Reagan and Walter Mondale. After the debate, researchers sampled people who hadn't witnessed the televised debate and played two different versions of it. People who listened to the televised debate without the audience soundtrack thought Mondale had won the debate. In contrast people who heard the debate with audience's responses thought that Reagan had won. The audiences' positive responses to Reagan swayed the listeners. We like to imagine we aren't easily influenced others; we fail to appreciate how our very view of ourselves is influenced by others. It runs counter to our culture's celebration of the freedom of individuals.
Lieberman ends the book by looking at real world applications. At work, at school, we attempt to remove social interactions, fearing it a distraction. It's more likely, however, that we would become more engaged. We would learn more and become more productive if we intertwined cognitive tasks with social interaction.
"Kira" Qhyrrae Michaelieu is a reference librarian at the Missouri River Regional Library and loves helping people find a book to suit their taste.