The Fear Factor: How One Emotion Connects Altruists, Psychopaths, and Everyone In-Between

by Abigail Marsh

Overview

In this "compelling scientific detective story," a leading neuroscientist looks for the nature of human kindness in the brains of heroes and psychopaths (Wall Street Journal).

At fourteen, Amber could boast of killing her guinea pig, threatening to burn down her home, and seducing men in exchange for gifts. She used the tools she had available to get what she wanted, and, she didn't care about the damage she inflicted. A few miles away, Lenny Skutnik was so concerned about the life of a drowning woman that he jumped into the ice-cold river to save her. How could Amber care so little about others' lives, while Lenny cared so much?
Abigail Marsh studied the brains of both psychopathic children and extreme altruists and found that the answer lies in our ability to recognize others' fear. And as The Fear Factor argues, by studying people who demonstrate heroic and evil behaviors, we can learn more about how human morality is coded in the brain.
A path-breaking read, The Fear Factor is essential for anyone seeking to understand the heights and depths of human nature.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781541697195
Publisher:	Basic Books
Publication date:	10/10/2017
Pages:	320
Sales rank:	982,938
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Abigail Marsh is an associate professor of psychology and neuroscience at Georgetown. She directs its prize-winning Laboratory on Social and Affective Neuroscience. She lives in Washington, DC.

Table of Contents

Prologue 1

1 The Rescue 9

2 Heroes and Antiheroes 21

3 The Psychopathic Brain 57

4 The Other Side of the Curve 93

5 What Makes an Altruist? 125

6 The Milk of Human Kindness 157

7 Can We Be Better? 201

8 Putting Altruism into Action 247

Acknowledgments 255

Notes 261

Index 291

Editorial Reviews

Listed as "One of the Best New Emotions Ebooks" by Book Authority

WINNER of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology's book prize for 'The Promotion of Social and Personality Science'

"This compelling scientific detective story spirals outward into realms that affect everyone. Best of all, [Marsh's] writing style is vivid and personable."—Wall Street Journal

"The Fear Factor is a fascinating tour of altruism research, all the better for being sprinkled with anecdotes about Marsh's life, career and unforgettable research subjects. As well as the extremes of human nature, Marsh says plenty that is of relevance to those of us in the middle of the bell curve, including how we can strive to be more altruistic in our everyday lives."—New Scientist

"Those who seek to comprehend the origin of fear, altruism, and elements of human nature will find this book a key factor in their increased understanding."—Science

"The Fear Factor is a fine example of a book that looks deeper, showing how an ancient part of the brain—central to our emotional lives—plays a pivotal role in who we are and what we do. It's a sharp analysis sprinkled with relatable examples, and an excellent brain book."—Forbes

"Fear Factor provides an illuminating dive into the science behind both altruism and psychopathy, promising an entertaining read for scientists and laypeople alike."—Paste

"All readers experiencing our national culture of fear, rage, and (perhaps in some cases) a rush to judgment will benefit from this examination of the importance of fear, empathy, humility, and the mysterious physiological conditions that can trigger (organically or not) the extraordinary altruist in all of us. The psychopathy stories are dark and disturbing, the altruism stories are extraordinary, and somewhere in all these shades we can find ourselves."—PopMatters

"[Marsh's] book is deft enough to be chilling at times, infectiously optimistic at others."—The Daily Telegraph

"Recommend this fascinating text to readers of pop psychology and true crime fans who wish to better understand the minds of potential criminals."—Booklist

"Let Abigail Marsh guide you on a riveting ride through your own brain. With lively writing and an impressive command of science, she shows how sensitivity to fear can be both a weapon of evil and a force for good."—Adam Grant, New York Times bestselling author of Originals, Give and Take and Option B (with Sheryl Sandberg)

"A brilliant, beautiful, and important book about the things that make some of us angels, some of us devils, and all of us human. You won't be able to put it down."—Daniel Gilbert, New York Times bestselling author of Stumbling on Happiness

"Are humans basically good, or does original sin touch all of us? Should people be blamed—or praised—for behavior that is largely related to physiological differences? Is conversion even possible? How far beyond our intimate circles should our love extend? Does perfect love really cast out fear? The Fear Factor could keep a church book group arguing for hours."—Christian Century

"The Fear Factor reads like a thriller. Abigail Marsh takes us through the groundbreaking research that has thrown light on two of the most fundamental traits of human beings: extreme selfishness and extreme altruism. Page after page, she shows convincingly that the capacity to perceive and identify fear and, consequently, to feel empathy as one would for a child in danger, is the key factor that makes us behave as a psychopath or as someone who joyfully gives a kidney to a stranger. One of the most mind-opening books I have read in years."—Matthieu Ricard, Author of Altruism: The Power of Compassion to Change Yourself and the World

From the Publisher