Social: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Connect by Matthew D. Lieberman

Matthew D. Lieberman’s Social: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Connect provides a cutting edge review of the scientific research on the neural basis of social connection. Lieberman proposes that the basis of our social functioning lies in the evolutionary need for social connection and that our brains are wired to connect with each other by means of sophisticated neurological adaptations. This book discusses the scientific research that shows how we, as social beings, are hardwired to connect with each other.

Social relationships dictate an important part of our lives, which affects our overall social, mental and physical health. Research has shown that our brains are wired to interact and regulate the interactions we have with other people, but how does this work? Lieberman provides an insightful and in depth response to this question by transporting readers on a scientific journey that explains how these neurological processes actually work in the brain.

Drawing upon new neurological research, Lieberman outlines two essential mechanisms for social connection. First, he explains how the brain motivates us to pursue relationships. Lieberman states that we are biologically and neurologically programmed to desire relationships with others, which is why we are constantly seeking them out. Lieberman goes on to argue that our desire to maintain social relationships is rooted in our deeply-held evolutionary instinct to survive and thrive.

Second, Lieberman discusses the mechanism that regulates our interactions with others. This suggests that the brain sends out biochemical messages to help us regulate our behaviors. Lieberman outlines three behavioral regulatory systems that operate during social interactions: the reward system, the punishment system, and the empathy system. Together, these systems help to limit the risk of aggressive behavior and foster feelings of compassion and understanding when relations become difficult.

Lieberman also examines the functional and neurological differences of the two hemispheres of the brain in terms of their influence on our social behaviors. He states that the left hemisphere of our brain pushes us to be contained and restrained in our relationships and the right side of our brain motivates us to be extraverted in social situations. Lieberman also provides important information about which parts of the brain are active during various social situations, including our default neural networks and the reward pathways as social agents.

Lastly, Lieberman presents new evidence from neuroscience that suggests there are gender differences in the way our brains process social cues. He states that there is evidence to suggest that women’s brains are more sensitive to social cues compared to the male brain, which explains why women are more likely to be successful in social situations than men.

Overall, Matthew D. Lieberman’s Social: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Connect is an informative and insightful look into the neuroscience behind our social behaviors. Lieberman provides a detailed overview of the neurological adaptations that allow us to connect with other people, emphasizing the importance of social relationships in our everyday lives. For anyone interested in learning more about how our brains are wired to make social connections, this book is an essential read.