Emotional Intelligence was an international phenomenon, appearing on the New York Times bestseller list for over a year and selling m...
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Sep 04, 2011
James
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This book is supposed to be the sequel to Emotional Intelligence. Goleman further argues that IQ is a poor way of gauging intelligence or how successful someone will be in life. This book is full of neuro-science, brain physiology and psychological studies involving children, medical and psychological patients, inmates and ordinary people. He explores such ideas as emotional contagion, social rewiring of abused and neglected youths, the Us vs. Them mindset, how humans form attachments to others
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Jun 27, 2011
Seth
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Here are some interesting quotes from the book:
“When someone dumps their toxic feelings on us, explodes in anger or threats, shows disgust or contempt, they activate in us circuity for those very same distressing emotions. Their act has potent neurological consequences. Emotions are contagious. We catch strong emotions much as we do a rhino virus, and so can come down with an emotional cold. Every social interaction has an emotional subtext. Along with whatever else we are doing, we More...
“When someone dumps their toxic feelings on us, explodes in anger or threats, shows disgust or contempt, they activate in us circuity for those very same distressing emotions. Their act has potent neurological consequences. Emotions are contagious. We catch strong emotions much as we do a rhino virus, and so can come down with an emotional cold. Every social interaction has an emotional subtext. Along with whatever else we are doing, we More...
Feb 03, 2010
Trish
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This was interesting, but not as incisive as his earlier Emotional Intelligence. It seemed a collection of chapters heading in a direction, but never really pulling it all together. I did learn a few things...the heavy-duty emotional work of the brain is generally done on the left side, and that the most important part of reaching attunement with another is through eye contact. It seems like we should know this, and we might say "of course," but sometimes it is the simple things that a
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Jun 22, 2010
This book is very fascinating to me. It is research is neurobiology and is filled with wonderful research and data about how different parts of our brain affect change in our social behavior. It also has quite a bit of research about how early trauma effects brain development and can later effect styles of communication.
I think this should be required reading for all 10th graders. I say 10th graders because I believe they are at the place developmentally to really absorb and implemen More...
I think this should be required reading for all 10th graders. I say 10th graders because I believe they are at the place developmentally to really absorb and implemen More...
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Aug 09, 2011
Mark
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I love what S. Anton “Explorer” writes in his Amazon review: “If you are expecting to learn anything that can actually help you in your life, forget it. An odd collection of quirky insights that in the great scheme of things add up to nothing.” While I’m not quite so harsh as to give the book a mere 1 star (I’ll give it 3), S. Anton’s review does a good job summarizing my gut reaction to the book:
1. I bought the paperback and found the rambling style difficult to plod through. Fortunately, I acq More...
1. I bought the paperback and found the rambling style difficult to plod through. Fortunately, I acq More...
Feb 21, 2011
Sharon
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It's hard to classify how I felt about this book. The technical sections, which explain the neuroscience behind social connection, were interesting (although sometimes on the dry side).
Where the book really came to life were the anecdotes and real-life case studies that explained how the neuroscience works out in the world. Examining how the "social brain" can be rewired with training in empathy, etc., was fascinating.
Over all, I would say that this book belon More...
Where the book really came to life were the anecdotes and real-life case studies that explained how the neuroscience works out in the world. Examining how the "social brain" can be rewired with training in empathy, etc., was fascinating.
Over all, I would say that this book belon More...
May 03, 2011
Void
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The bad: From the start I saw in the book some quite bad/dangerous views on the world, and particularly the kinds of solutions it was proposing to some problems felt not based on reality but on wishy thinking, some even with dangerous consequences if implemented. Also the book contains quite a bit of A is A and looks like A type reasoning, with the effect of just saying obvious stuff (or even dictionary definitions?), which as well with some of the stories just dragged it on.
The good: so wh More...
The good: so wh More...
Jun 10, 2011
Dav
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Goleman, a science writer for the New York Times, does a great job of making accessible the impact of neuroscience research on modern understanding of psychology in social matters. This was one of the most personally interesting books I've read, as large swaths of it were directly applicable to my life. For example, the impact of parenting styles on neurological development of children and the passages that led me to understand that I had at least a mild case of Asperger's Syndrome n my younger
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Mar 26, 2010
Francisco
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Currently reading it, a fascinating and very well researched approach to what many have called in the past as "Enlightenment".
Shows why we react the way we do in many fora; and why it is such a challenge to empathize via CMAC ones. (Computer Mediated Asynchronous Communication)
Apropos, check out our Facebook Group: http://CMAC-Labs.US
Cheers.
Francisco Jose Palacio
Media Mentor/CTO/Customer Service
954 270 02 76 Cell & SMS
BB More...
Shows why we react the way we do in many fora; and why it is such a challenge to empathize via CMAC ones. (Computer Mediated Asynchronous Communication)
Apropos, check out our Facebook Group: http://CMAC-Labs.US
Cheers.
Francisco Jose Palacio
Media Mentor/CTO/Customer Service
954 270 02 76 Cell & SMS
BB More...
Mar 03, 2011
Amy
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Surprisingly, I really enjoyed this book, and that's coming from someone who is usually a reluctant non-fiction reader. I didn't really know what to expect, but I thought it was a well-written book overall. I enjoyed his synthesis of many different psychological studies. There were many times when I had to lean over to my husband and say "get this..." because of something interesting I had read. He also gave really good, relatable examples of how particular psychological principles w
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Dec 02, 2008
Don
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In my ongoing exploration of emotional intelligence, I decided to give this book a try in an effort to build my own skills at recognizing and responding to social situations. I learned early into reading this that I had chosen the wrong book. Goleman goes into a fair amount of depth explaining the neurological basis for our emotional reactions to social stimuli, but doesn't extend the discussion to how we can build the ability to read social situations and modulate our own behaviors and respon
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Jul 11, 2008
Polly
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Goleman and I share a common passion for the places where spiritual practice and psychology overlap, and his work fascinates me. In both "Emotional Intelligence" and Social Intelligence" he shows how we can use our conscious minds to rewire our neurological response patterns, thus increasing the quality of our lives. In other books, Goleman explicitly talks about his belief that spiritual practices, like meditation or chanting, work because they rewire neural circuits along health
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Sep 04, 2007
I usually don't finish non-fiction, but I read almost all of this book. I enjoyed the exploration of of neurological mechanisms behind social interactions, the science of why a certain interaction can just feel "off". I also liked Goleman's broader worldview- that violence and distrust are encouraged not innate. The last chunk of the book deals with how stress hormones, such as cortisol, affect the body's ability to fend off illness, showing a direct correlation between oppression and
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Sep 03, 2010
Kris
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I lvoe this book! Anyone interested in how we interact as a society would lvoe this book. I've found it both helpful to better understanding how people interact in politics and in our communities, and how the traits we exhibit can either be of help or harm. I especially found the sections explaining psychopathic & narcissistic behaviors to be of help. No doubt I've seen some of that in my years on campaigns and in government. Great book.
Jul 29, 2011
irfan
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Some interesting ideas, which somehow or rather, have perhaps reconfirmed my assumptions on some social phenomena that I have observed around me. It is interesting the number of 'A-HA' moments that I have while reading this, especially when placed in a social context that we are living in. Can get a little too technical at times, but overall an interesting 'deep' read.
Feb 17, 2009
Judith
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This is an educational read. I skipped the section about love.
He uses acronyms and I forgot what they mean so I had to think think think to remember what he was talking about.
He had me going back to my childhood and realizing why I do the things I go. Of course, it's all my parents fault.
If you want to improve your relationships this is the book for you.
He uses acronyms and I forgot what they mean so I had to think think think to remember what he was talking about.
He had me going back to my childhood and realizing why I do the things I go. Of course, it's all my parents fault.
If you want to improve your relationships this is the book for you.
Jan 04, 2009
Jeanine Marie
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Even better sequel to the popular bestseller, Emotional Intelligence, this book has provided me with comfort and reassurance. We are hard-wired to connect emotionally and socially, despite the cultural messages of individualism, selfish, greed and consumption. Our higher power has provided us internally with all the tool that we need to survive and thrive.
Jun 29, 2008
My friend and I started reading this book at exactly the same time, one year ago. I made a comment to him over coffee 2 or 3 weeks ago about some trivia I had gleaned from Social Intelligence, and asked what he thought of that particular chapter. His reply was priceless (on many levels). He sighed and whispered "I am STILL reading it!". I leaned in an whispered, "SO AM I!". We agreed completely on these points: 1. This book is not good enough to devour, but not bad enou
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Sep 17, 2011
Devorah
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How scientists understand the cognitive functioning of humans in social interaction, elegantly presented. Connection, rapport, altruism, disaffection. Mind "reading", nurturing, desire. Narcissists, Machiavelians, psychopaths. More about the social brain than I ever imagined. But the best thing is Goleman's clear, engaging, incisive writing.
Jul 28, 2010
Tim
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I liked this better than Emotional Intelligence by the same author. This books seems to be a more refined collection of thoughts and has more applicable elements. This is about the science of social situations, not how to become socially intelligent. I highly recommend this book to anyone with the responsibility of a leadership role.
Jan 18, 2009
Elizabeth
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I listened to this book in the car: Goleman repeats himself a lot, so it was a perfect car-book. Lots of research summarized nicely, and linked. My only problem, was that Goleman assumes everyone is a middle class, white, married-with-kids male (which is kind of a huge problem for a book about *social* intelligence!)
Jul 07, 2011
Steve
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A very interesting book regarding the science behind a person's EQ and the concepts surrounding it. Explored are the comparative importance of EQ versus a person's IQ as well as what makes people with EQ so successful in spite of their other possible deficiencies. Much biology and supportive evidence is provided.
Mar 04, 2009
Valerie
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This book was another that I read as research for my show "Brain Chemistry For Lovers". I learned a ton about the neuroscience of human interaction. Not only did it contain some fascinating information about romantic love, but some equally good info that I use when teaching, parenting and performing.
Aug 03, 2011
Fernando
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Más de lo mismo si ya has leído "Inteligencia emocional", pero contiene algunos capítulos que hacen que merezca la pena leerlo. Una lástima que repita bastante del contenido de Inteligencia emocional y hace que algunas partes sean un poco aburridas. Aún así, es un libro muy interesante.
Dec 15, 2010
Bashir
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One of the best books I read this year. Very well researched look at the way human brain processes social interactions. Very useful in understanding the underlying biological forces that determine our relationships with people and how you can use the knowledge to affect those relationships.
Oct 05, 2009
Armen
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I read this great book and did a review on it on my site. It talks about the various factors that make up what is intelligence on a social basis, that leads to leaders in society and being able to handle rejection or command a group, with various examples shown. Goleman is wonderful.
Jul 03, 2009
David
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I "read" this book in the audiobook (CD) format. I will comment more later, but overall this was a very thought-provoking and well-researched presentation. [Coincidentally, it was performed by someone with whom I used to go to school, Dennis Boutsikaris, now a Broadway and TV actor.:]
Jun 26, 2010
Menurut saya, ini buku tentang ilmu perasaan. Setelah membaca buku ini, saya jadi tahu bahwa apapun yang saya pikirkan, saya ekspresikan, dan saya lakukan akan mempengaruhi orang disekitar saya, bahkan orang-orang yang tidak bertatap muka langsung. Ada mekanisme dalam syaraf otak kita yang menerjemahkan ekspresi, bahasa, orang lain sehingga kita bisa menilai orang lain dalam pertemuan pertama, bisa merasakan jatuh cinta pada orang-orang tertentu, bisa merasakan kharisma orang-orang tertentu, dll
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Aug 04, 2011
This book is chock full of research on the connection between the people and relationships in our life and our brains and health. Very informative, although overwhelming at times. I think I might have to re-read it to fully get my head around it.
Jul 22, 2011
Mark
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I gave this book book 4 starts because the 5th star could only be appreciated by a clinical psychologist or a sociologist. Never the less he shares great insights about the way we interact and why. Great book. I personall love all Daniel Golemans suff
