2. 1
Scientists report that today college students are 40
percent less empathetic than 20 years ago. Why?
3. 2
There are many neurons for empathy in the brain... some people
have more than others? But can people make new ones?
4. 3
Did you know that new fathers can suffer as much post
natal depression as new mothers?
5. 4
New data show that holding your baby not only provides
security and comfort, but can reprogram genes to help
learning and memory
6. 5
A new study shows that testosterone goes up in men when
around similar men, not dissimilar men--maybe relating to
attempts for status.
7. 6
Scientists now report that laughter reduces CORTISOL, the stress
hormone, and is a mild form of exercise: laughter IS good medicine.
Smile. You will live longer. You may be happier too, as smiling can
alter brain chemistry.
8. 7
The average human life span may soon be 100 years. This
well certainly accelerate the Marriage Revolution.
9. The Laws of
Attraction1
I knew some of what happens in the brain when you fall in love,
because my colleagues and I had put 49 men and women who were
madly in love into a brain scanner (fMRI) and recorded that rush of
ecstasy. Many brain regions fly into action, but a major player is
the brain’s "reward system," the network for elation, craving,
goal-oriented behaviors and motivation — in this case, the motivation
to win life’s greatest prize: an appropriate mating partner.
Biological
anthropologist
Helen Fisher But why does this brain for intense romantic love become active
explains how we when you meet certain people and not others?
choose who we
love. No one knows. Timing certainly plays a role. We tend to fall in love
with someone from a similar background, with similar religious
values and with the same degree of intelligence, education and good
looks. Your childhood must play a part. And we gravitate to those
who can give us the lifestyle that we seek.
10. The Laws of
Attraction2
I decided to find out if brain chemistry also plays a role in whom we choose. I came to believe
that humanity has evolved four natural styles of thinking and behaving — each associated
primarily with a different chemical system in the brain
"Explorers," are born free and they express more dopamine . They are curious, creative,
impulsive, spontaneous, optimistic, energetic and flexible.
"Builders" are more expressive of serotonin, they are traditional and conventional, as well
as cautious, calm and often social. These men and women are networkers; community and
family are important to them. They make good managers because they are orderly,
conscientious, thorough and loyal.
"Directors" are more expressive of testosterone, these men and women are analytical and
logical. They are also direct, decisive, exacting and tough minded. They are good at what
scientists call "rule based systems" — things like math, mechanics and engineering.
"Negotiators" are what Plato called philosopher kings. Expressive of estrogen and
oxytocin, these men and women see the big picture. They are imaginative and intuitive. They
have superb language and people skills. They are also compassionate, nurturing, agreeable,
idealistic and emotionally expressive.
11. The Laws of
Attraction3 Each of these four broad personality types defines intimacy
differently and builds a different kind of long-term
partnership. They also bring to the world somewhat different
talents.
So now when I hear Barack Obama (a fine Explorer) speak,
watch Gordon Brown (a Builder to the bone) manage the
financial affairs of England, read about Hillary Clinton (a
We are all a Director) making a blunt direct remark to the Chinese or
combination of all
of these types, of watch husband Bill (a Negotiator) feeling another’s pain,
course.
But we need to see I marvel at how these four temperament styles have come across
to what degree you the eons, up from ancestors who pooled very different talents
express all four of
to survive another day. And how, like two feet that need each
these basic
biological systems other to get ahead, we need our human diversity to create a
better world.
12. Explorer (artistic, optimistic and energetic):
Barack Obama
Angelina Jolie
Builder (cautious, calm and orderly):
Colin Powell
George Washington
Negotiator (intuitive, Director (rational, logical and
compassionate and nurturing): emotionally contained):
Bill Clinton
Oprah Winfrey Albert Einstein
Carla Bruni-Sarkozy Bill Gates
Hillary Clinton
