Product Description
A pioneering neuroscientist reveals the reasons for loneliness and what to do about it.

John T. Cacioppo's groundbreaking research topples one of the pillars of modern medicine and psychology: the focus on the individual as the unit of inquiry. By employing brain scans, monitoring blood pressure, and analyzing immune function, he demonstrates the overpowering influence of social context—a factor so strong that it can alter DNA replication. He defines an unrecognized syndrome—chronic loneliness—brings it out of the shadow of its cousin depression, and shows how this subjective sense of social isolation uniquely disrupts our perceptions, behavior, and physiology, becoming a trap that not only reinforces isolation but can also lead to early death. He gives the lie to the Hobbesian view of human nature as a "war of all against all," and he shows how social cooperation is, in fact, humanity's defining characteristic. Most important, he shows how we can break the trap of isolation for our benefit both as individuals and as a society. 12 illustrations.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 5.0 based on 6 reviews)

A real self-helper

Forget gimmicky self-help books. This is a non-ficiton, scientific approach to alienation and loneliness. I bought it on audible because it was on sale, and was surprised how it pulled me in. Great book. So insightful
December 06, 2008

Solid science

Not an easy read, but worthwhile. Comprehensive use of evolutionary psychology and neuroscience to explain a lot of what causes psychic pain, as well as attraction and aversion in social settings. Demonstrates that loneliness may well be a more accurate and useful diagnosis than depression or anxiety. Well documented sources. Not an easy-to-read self-help book, but worth the effort because of the understanding that can result.
October 25, 2008

Terrific Synthesis

This is an excellent work that ties together research from neuroscience, evolutionary psychology, social psychology, and endocrinology. The book presents all of this wonderful science in a way that is accessible to anyone with an interest in the impact of relationships on our well-being.

Cacioppo and Patrick should be commended for providing a model of the way in which science can be true to itself but also made popular for the benefit of the reading public. These authors are able to share some of the more significant insights that come from work in multiple fields in clear prose, light on academic jargon.

The book reads like a synthesis of 15 or so really good articles from Scientific American but are conveyed with a single vision and in an affable voice. Loneliness is a pleasant and interesting read that clearly demonstrates a key truth: we are not alone. The idea of the rugged individual is an absurd myth that has little basis in reality. As Aristotle noted long ago, we are essentially social creatures. We are born from interaction, develop through communal care, and are instinctively driven to gain the esteem of our companions. The pursuit of happiness and well-being must be a joint venture.

The ideas that Cacioppo and Patrick put forward about co-regulation and social dynamics help to break down the individualistic unit of analysis that has plagued a great deal of psychological research and philosophical inquiry. Moreover, this critique of the individualistic bias in scientific research goes a long way towards becoming a more general critique of modern society. The loss of many traditional forms of interrelatedness may be at the source of the malaise and health concerns that pester us all.
October 09, 2008

Thank you for this wonderful book

I wanted to thank you and Dr. Patrick for your wonderful book,
Loneliness. I am in the process of reading it and had to put it
down for a moment to write this e-mail. I treat children who
are selectively mute and wrote an article on Selective Mutism
and Self-Regulation, published in the Clinical Social Work
Journal. I had thought that it was the lack of language usage
primarily that created their inability to self-regulate. While
I wrote in a few passing phrases that it was the use of language
in the dyadic relationship that helps to establish the ability
to self-regulate, since beginning to read your book I see that
it is the use of language in connection with others that helps
with this ability. As a result, this population's lack of
language usage that also leads to social isolation contributes
greatly to their inability to self-regulate emotions and
behaviors. Thank you and Dr. Patrick again for helping me to
conceptualize my work better.

All the best, Marian Moldan, LCSW-R

September 09, 2008

Interesting

Loneliness: Human Nature and the Need for Social Connection summarizes thirty years of work by John Cacioppo of the University of Chicago and his colleagues.

Reading this book was not always a good time. I found myself feeling sad at times while reading the book, but the authors through in enough humor to lighten the tone.

Though it can be hard to get through at times, people can learn a lot from this book. The authors use a step-by-step approach to reducing a person's loneliness. It is worth the read.

September 03, 2008

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