Altruists and Psychopaths with Abby Marsh | Ep 16

Send us Fan MailHave you ever wondered why some people have a powerful drive to donate a kidney or liver to a stranger, while others would never consider such a thing?Professor Abigail Marsh has spent over a decade answering this question through studies on topics such as altruism, empathy, and the depths of human nature.  She answers complex questions such as:  How do we understand what others think and feel? What drives us to help other people? What prevents us from harming themAbby’s Laboratory on Social & Affective Neuroscience is located at Georgetown University.   Her lab’s research includes behavioral and brain imaging investigations of human social behaviors ranging from extraordinary altruism to serious conduct problems in children, adolescents, and adults.  She is also author of the book, The Fear Factor, which examines how one emotion (fear), connects altruists, psychopaths, and everyone in between.  Come take a tour of your brain with Abby Marsh and Laurie Lee, and explore the extremes of human generosity and the mechanisms underlying our capacity for empathy and ability to identify fear.Showlinks:Prof. Abigail Marsh’s WebsiteThe Fear FactorAbigail Marsh’s Ted TalkPublicationsAbigail Marsh on 60 MinutesNational Kidney Donation Organization Donor Diaries WebsiteDonor Diaries on FacebookGiftWorks WebsiteConnect with Laurie Lee