This manual pertains to the book "Supernormal Stimuli: How Primal Urges Overran Their Evolutionary Purpose" by Deirdre Barrett, published by W. W. Norton & Company on February 22, 2010. This work delves into the realm of evolutionary psychology, exploring how stimuli that are exaggerated versions of natural cues can hijack primal urges, leading to behaviors such as obesity and war. Barrett, a Harvard psychologist, examines the concept of supernormal stimuli, originally coined by animal biologists, and its profound impact on human instincts that evolved for a vastly different environment. The book, presented in English and spanning 224 pages, uses examples ranging from candy and pornography to atomic weapons to illustrate how modern society's innovations have created an environment where these exaggerated stimuli are pervasive.
The purpose of this manual is to provide a comprehensive overview of the book's core concepts and arguments. It covers key themes including the historical context of human instincts, the influence of modern environmental factors, and the proposed mechanism of self-control as a solution to rein in unfettered instincts. The manual is designed for readers interested in understanding the psychological underpinnings of contemporary societal issues and how evolutionary psychology offers a framework for analysis. It aims to clarify the book's exploration of how primal urges, shaped by a bygone era, interact with the complex realities of densely populated cities and technological advancements.
A Harvard psychologist explains how our once-helpful instincts get hijacked in our garish modern world.
Our instincts—for food, sex, or territorial protection— evolved for life on the savannahs 10,000 years ago, not in today’s world of densely populated cities, technological innovations, and pollution. We now have access to a glut of larger-than-life objects, from candy to pornography to atomic weapons—that gratify these gut instincts with often-dangerous results. Animal biologists coined the term “supernormal stimuli” to describe imitations that appeal to primitive instincts and exert a stronger pull than real things, such as soccer balls that geese prefer over eggs. Evolutionary psychologist Deirdre Barrett applies this concept to the alarming disconnect between human instinct and our created environment, demonstrating how supernormal stimuli are a major cause of today’s most pressing problems, including obesity and war. However, Barrett does more than show how unfettered instincts fuel dangerous excesses. She also reminds us that by exercising self-control we can rein them in, potentially saving ourselves and civilization.
Author: Barrett, Deirdre
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Illustration: n
Language: ENG
Title: Supernormal Stimuli: How Primal Urges Overran Their Evolutionary Purpose
Pages: 00224 (Encrypted EPUB)
On Sale: 2010-02-22
SKU-13/ISBN: 9780393068481
Category: Science : Life Sciences - Evolution
A Harvard psychologist explains how our once-helpful instincts get hijacked in our garish modern world.
Our instincts—for food, sex, or territorial protection— evolved for life on the savannahs 10,000 years ago, not in today’s world of densely populated cities, technological innovations, and pollution. We now have access to a glut of larger-than-life objects, from candy to pornography to atomic weapons—that gratify these gut instincts with often-dangerous results. Animal biologists coined the term “supernormal stimuli” to describe imitations that appeal to primitive instincts and exert a stronger pull than real things, such as soccer balls that geese prefer over eggs. Evolutionary psychologist Deirdre Barrett applies this concept to the alarming disconnect between human instinct and our created environment, demonstrating how supernormal stimuli are a major cause of today’s most pressing problems, including obesity and war. However, Barrett does more than show how unfettered instincts fuel dangerous excesses. She also reminds us that by exercising self-control we can rein them in, potentially saving ourselves and civilization.
Author: Barrett, Deirdre
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Illustration: n
Language: ENG
Title: Supernormal Stimuli: How Primal Urges Overran Their Evolutionary Purpose
Pages: 00224 (Encrypted EPUB)
On Sale: 2010-02-22
SKU-13/ISBN: 9780393068481
Category: Science : Life Sciences - Evolution
