Origins of Human Socialization

Origins of Human Socialization introduces a new concept on the origins of basic human instinct. The book combines the three disciplinary approaches, including neuroscience, paleoanthropology and developmental psychology as an intertwined foundation for prosocial behavior. It argues that humans have the basic brain mechanisms for prosocial activity, offering new insights into more sophisticated social behavior. It also examines both visual and auditory systems in both humans and animals to explain the evolution of social interactions. Written by world-renowned researcher Dr. Donald Pfaff, this book is the first to explore why we have basic social instinct and how it works.

For centuries, researchers have argued over the foundations of human behavior in society. Anthropologists point to transitions from hunter/gathers to urban dwellers leading to human domestication. Developmental psychologists highlight social competences in babies. Neuroscientists focus on specific genetic and neurochemical mechanisms that attribute to social behavior. This book brings all of these important areas together in an interdisciplinary approach that helps readers understand how they are linked.

Introduces recent discoveries regarding genes and their association with brain growthOutlines the fundamentals of brain circuitry that underlies social behaviorExplains the connection between loneliness and reduced anti-inflammatory responsesReviews how gene expression encourages various forms of social behavior

1. Background: Evolution 2. Babies' development 3. The basic vertebrate social brain - Fish 4. Elemental social behaviors 5. Visual add-ons during vertebrate evolution 6. Auditory add-ons during vertebrate evolution 7. Psychological approaches 8. Social behavior at its best: Altruism 9. Failure to approach, autism 10. Loss 11. Genetics and epigenetics 12. Wrap-up and outlook