SOCIAL NEUROSCIENCE

Goleman, D. (2006) Social Intelligence New York: Bantam Books

Joel C. Snell MA,MIBA  Kirkwood College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Mictchell  Marsh, Pharm.D. St. Elizabeth Center, Lincoln, Nebraska

This could be one of many books about social skills and related. However, what makes this different is that sociology, psychology is also attached to biochemistry and findings from fMRI. In other words, the total human being is brought into the picture. Hopefully,

this book will seem primitive in the years ahead. However, for now, it is at an opening to the combination of nature and nurture and how they interact with each other.

As an example, “loneliness” is defined sociologically then the psychological dimensions are mentioned. It is then discussed that those who have the two components listed above also have (biologically) cardiovascular difficulties and a reduced immune system. In return, these two biological phenomenons feed into a downward spiral into more “loneliness” socially and psychologically.

The author begins with the statement that we live in an emotional economy. We like others who are supportive and authentic. There is an emotional looping that brings us together. The author displays and describes the brain and how each part(s) co-trigger our emotions. How the low old brain differs from the higher brain and yet they work together.

So what is “social intelligence?” It is neatly divided into a 4 part component of “social awareness” and a related quadruple portion of “social facility.” All this is then defined.

From there, he explores “broken bonds” and downward spirals that emerge from the physical and the social. He is also quick to note that he is not a biological determinist.

He then delves into love relationships. Actually, females and males look for many similar attributes. However, they differ most in that males look for” sex objects” and females look for “success objects” Further, those two superficial traits begin to blur as the relationship matures.

From there, Goleman moves up to larger institutions including formal associations like businesses and even the larger society. The last part is for a society to be not only efficient but also nurturing and happy. To these reviewers, one can not envision an America like that.

The only reservation is the Goleman does not use sociological terminology when it would make the book more understandable to a larger reading audience. His mother was a sociology professor at a university. However, he spends paragraphs explaining generally warm, supportive relationships found in small groups. That is called “primary groups” in the sociological literature. In this very good book, he leaves the description hanging.

On balance, this is a very credible book that belongs in both academia and the general professional literature. It should sell and adds to the contributions made in this new area called “social neuroscience.”