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.
