From the Publisher
Emotional Intelligence was an international
phenomenon, appearing on the New York Times bestseller
list for over a year and selling more than five million copies
worldwide. Now, once again, Daniel Goleman has written a
groundbreaking synthesis of the latest findings in biology and
brain science, revealing that we are "wired to connect" and the
surprisingly deep impact of our relationships on every aspect of
our lives.
Far more than we are consciously aware, our daily encounters with
parents, spouses, bosses, and even strangers shape our brains and
affect cells throughout our bodies-down to the level of our
genes-for good or ill. In Social Intelligence,
Daniel Goleman explores an emerging new science with startling
implications for our interpersonal world. Its most fundamental
discovery: we are designed for sociability, constantly engaged in a
"neural ballet" that connects us brain to brain with those around
us.
Our reactions to others, and theirs to us, have a far-reaching
biological impact, sending out cascades of hormones that regulate
everything from our hearts to our immune systems, making good
relationships act like vitamins-and bad relationships like poisons.
We can "catch" other people's emotions the way we catch a cold, and
the consequences of isolation or relentless social stress can be
life-shortening. Goleman explains the surprising accuracy of first
impressions, the basis of charisma and emotional power, the
complexity of sexual attraction, and how we detect lies. He
describes the "dark side" of social intelligence, from narcissism
to Machiavellianism and psychopathy. He also reveals our
astonishing capacity for "mindsight," as well as the tragedy of
those, like autistic children, whose mindsight is impaired.
Is there a way to raise our children to be happy? What is the basis
of a nourishing marriage? How can business leaders and teachers
inspire the best in those they lead and teach? How can groups
divided by prejudice and hatred come to live together in peace?
The answers to these questions may not be as elusive as we once
thought. And Goleman delivers his most heartening news with
powerful conviction: we humans have a built-in bias toward empathy,
cooperation, and altruism-provided we develop the social
intelligence to nurture these capacities in ourselves and others.
About the Author
Daniel Goleman, PH.D. is also the author of the worldwide
bestseller Working with Emotional Intelligence and
is co-author of Primal Leadership: Learning to Lead with
Emotional Intelligence, written with Richard Boyatzis and
Annie McKee.
Dr. Goleman received his Ph.D. from Harvard and reported on the
brain and behavioral sciences for The New York Times for twelve
years, where he was twice nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. He was
awarded the American Psychological Association''s Lifetime
Achievement Award and is currently a Fellow of the American
Association for the Advancement of Science His other books include
Destructive Emotions, The Meditative Mind, The
Creative Spirit, and Vital Lies, Simple Truths.