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Loneliness: Human Nature And The Need For Social Connection (2008)

by John T. Cacioppo(Favorite Author)

3.85 of 5 Votes: 5

ISBN

0393061701 (ISBN13: 9780393061703)

languge

English

genre

Nonfiction

publisher

W. W. Norton & Company

review 1: My favorite part of this book was the bar chart on page 100 which used sticks of butter to show how lonely people ate more calories than not lonely people. Nothing earth-shattering here: lonely people are less able to express their emotions in the correct quantities or at all, feeling lonely and worthless reinforces feelings of depression while positive feelings reinforce positive behaviors, other animals are also social, etc. I could have used less about zoo animals.
review 2: Loneliness: Human Nature and the Need for Social Connection is a deftly researched book on a condition that may affect us all at one point or another. The book delves deeply on the effects of loneliness and also how those who suffer from it may find ways to overcome their loneliness. T... morehe book goes over many scientific disciplines--including zoology, biology, anthropology, and of course psychology. I do think it spends too much on animal comparisons, they look at primate social constructs in detail. Probably the most the biggest takeaway of this book is that we are inherently very social creatures. We need socialization as much as food and water. We evolved in small tribes and is part of our genetic fabric. Unfortunately, the current Western paragon of the Individual is pervasive in our society. It is one that ignores the importance of connection, cooperation, and mutual dependence. Overall, the book is very revealing of the nature of loneliness and our need for social connection. less

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