Behave by Robert M. Sapolsky
from Bookish Dives Hosted by Diana E
In Robert M. Sapolsky’s book Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst, the author explores the neurobiological foundations of human behavior, specifically focusing on the causes of violence, aggression, and cooperation. Sapolsky argues against categorical thinking, asserting that behavior cannot be attributed to a single factor like a gene or a hormone, but is instead the result of an intertwined continuum of influences ranging from seconds to millions of years. The book details the roles of the amygdala in mediating fear and aggression, the frontal cortex in managing executive function and impulse control, and the limbic system in processing emotions. By examining the triune brain model, the source illustrates how the prefrontal cortex often struggles to "do the harder thing" when faced with emotional or sensory triggers. Ultimately, the book aims to synthesize biological and social sciences to explain why humans are capable of both horrific acts of harm and profound displays of altruism.
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