• The Fear Factor

  • How One Emotion Connects Altruists, Psychopaths, and Everyone In-Between
  • By: Abigail Marsh
  • Narrated by: Christine Lakin
  • Length: 10 hrs and 2 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (70 ratings)

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The Fear Factor  By  cover art

The Fear Factor

By: Abigail Marsh
Narrated by: Christine Lakin
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Publisher's summary

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 14, 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 listen, The Fear Factor is essential for anyone seeking to understand the heights and depths of human nature.

©2017 Abigail Marsh (P)2017 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"You won't be able to put it down." (Daniel Gilbert, New York Times best-selling author of Stumbling on Happiness)
"[It] reads like a thriller... One of the most mind-opening books I have read in years." (Matthieu Ricard, author of Altruism)

What listeners say about The Fear Factor

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

Rudimentary

Great for beginning Psychology students; for me a review I do not require. However; If you are just getting started in Psychological studies, I think it appropriate for a novice.
#MyNonFictionAddiction📕

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3 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great stuff!

One of those books that you will read more than once and discover things you somehow missed before...

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Just listen! It will make you happier.

Extraordinary book. Will share with everyone I care about.
I learned a lot. I enjoyed every minute of it. The book made me think. What not to love?



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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

love this book

it's really hard to put down a good book but it's easier when you can hear it while you drive!

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