Why We Snap

Understanding the Rage Circuit in Your Brain

De: R. Douglas Fields Ph.D.

Narrado por: Graham Winton

The startling new science behind sudden acts of violence committed by ordinary, sane people from a leading neurobiologist.

According to R. Douglas Fields, PhD, we all have a rage circuit we can't fully control once it is engaged. The daily headlines are filled with examples of otherwise rational people with no history of violence or mental illness suddenly snapping in a domestic dispute, barroom brawl, or road rage attack. We all wish to believe that we are in control of our actions, but the fact is, in certain circumstances we are not. Something in our environment can unexpectedly unleash an automatic and complex rage response.

Dr. Fields is an internationally recognized neurobiologist and authority on the brain and the cellular mechanisms of memory. He has spent years trying to understand the biological basis of rage and anomalous violence, and he has concluded that our culture's understanding of the problem is based on an erroneous assumption: that rage attacks are the product of morally or mentally defective individuals rather than a capacity that we all possess. The sad truth is that the right trigger in the right circumstance can unleash a fit of rage in almost anyone. And as Dr. Fields reveals and details for the first time, there are precisely nine triggers.

Fields shows that violent behavior is the result of the clash between our evolutionary hardwiring and triggers in our contemporary world. Our personal space is more crowded than ever, we get less sleep, and we just aren't as fit as our ancestors. We need to understand how the hardwiring works and how to recognize the nine triggers.

With a totally new perspective, engaging narrative, and practical advice, Why We Snap uncovers the biological roots of the rage response and how we can protect ourselves - and others.

©2015 R. Douglas Fields (P)2015 Recorded Books

Great information but narcissistic author.

It would have been five stars book if author stop talking more than once or twice a bout the story a bout himself and his daughter .Douglas fields himself probably didn’t realized how unconsciously is insecure and how he
Desperately needed to portrayed himself as a gladiator and street smart who know how to fist fight and kick ass group of pickpocket .he mentioned this story over five or six times during the book. It’s sickening .

it helps to understand the wiring

? did you grow up in a family of anger and loud accusation
? are you prone to sudden episodes of frustration and rage
? does the world seem unnecessarily difficult and threatening

r. douglas fields has written an insightful book to try to help you
the book does not provide therapy as much as awareness and early recognition
it assists in understanding the ancient internal wiring of our minds

within our brains are circuits built to recognize and abate serious threats
the survival advantage of these circuits is, to some, quite obvious and necessary
? but we live in an increasingly safe, relational, healthy, orderly and quiet world

this is especially true for those lucky enough to live in the USA after 1944
life now rewards those who are clever, charming, and able to gage emotional tone
? of what use is this primitive ability to quickly gage: friend vs. foe or danger vs. safety

continued studies in functional neuroanatomy will provide additional insights
r. douglas fields' duties at the NIH give him ready access to these new findings
i suspect the book may be revised, updated and amplified in the years to come

an old patient of mine, a retired USMC colonel, had a poster in his garage
it read " NO ONE WANTS TO FIGHT - BUT SOMEONE BETTER KNOW HOW "
if our world becomes more dangerous, these age-old circuits may find new uses

Priceless Behavioral Insight

A thorough and thoughtful review of neurophysiology and factors affecting our aggressive behavior an way to become more aware of triggers in daily life. Functional MRIs are opening new areas of diagnosis and treatment that may enhance our mental health.

Great content material, food for thought and perfo

well written and great performance. A lot of great information with combination of scientific, biological and psychological information.

the author's inherent bias!

I enjoyed when he stuck to the science but he consistently digressed to his own personal biases! you would think somebody that enlightened would actually be enlightened!