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Heartwarming: How Our Inner Thermostat Made Us Human
A hot cup of tea, coffee, or cocoa is calming and comforting—but how can holding a warm mug affect our emotions? In Heartwarming, social psychologist Hans Rocha IJzerman explores temperature through the long lens of evolution. Besides breathing, regulating body temperature is one of the most fundamental tasks for any animal. Like huddling penguins, we humans have long relied on one another to maintain our temperatures; over millennia, this instinct for thermoregulation has shaped our lives and culture.
Temperature contributed to our evolution—our upright walking, our loss of fur, and our big brains—and now continues to affect our lives in unexpected ways, and the link from a warm mug to our emotions is anything but straightforward. Studies have shown, for example, that a chilly deliberation room can predispose a jury to convict and that a cold day can make us more likely to buy a house. Our mind-body connection works the other way, thinking about friendly or caring people can make us feel warmer. Understanding how we subconsciously strive to keep our temperature in an optimal range can help us in our relationships, jobs, and even in the world of social media.
As IJzerman illuminates how temperature affects human sociality, he examines fascinating new How will climate change impact society? Why are some people chronically cold, and others overheated? Can thermoregulation keep relationships closer, even across a distance? The answers offer new insights for all of us who want to better understand our bodies, our minds, and each other. Heartwarming takes readers on an engaging journey through the world, seen from the perspectives of coldness and warmth.
Temperature contributed to our evolution—our upright walking, our loss of fur, and our big brains—and now continues to affect our lives in unexpected ways, and the link from a warm mug to our emotions is anything but straightforward. Studies have shown, for example, that a chilly deliberation room can predispose a jury to convict and that a cold day can make us more likely to buy a house. Our mind-body connection works the other way, thinking about friendly or caring people can make us feel warmer. Understanding how we subconsciously strive to keep our temperature in an optimal range can help us in our relationships, jobs, and even in the world of social media.
As IJzerman illuminates how temperature affects human sociality, he examines fascinating new How will climate change impact society? Why are some people chronically cold, and others overheated? Can thermoregulation keep relationships closer, even across a distance? The answers offer new insights for all of us who want to better understand our bodies, our minds, and each other. Heartwarming takes readers on an engaging journey through the world, seen from the perspectives of coldness and warmth.
293 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 2, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 8, 2021
1.5 stars
I think, based on an often casual tone, that this book is meant to appeal to the general reader, but I’m not entirely sure. It’s an interesting subject, essentially how body temperature relates to other aspects of human and animal life. And it starts out well, discussing psychological studies showing an interesting connection: experimental subjects asked to hold a warm cup reported greater feelings of emotional connectedness than those asked to hold a cold cup. This suggests that emotional “warmth” and “coldness” are not just metaphors but related to our bodies’ actual temperature regulation. Which is further suggested by other studies, such as one showing that people who feel rejected in an online game have colder skin temperatures, and report more desire for hot food and drink.
Unfortunately, despite a few cool factoids about human and animal thermoregulation, the rest of the book didn’t provide enough to make it worthwhile for me. Many of the chapters have intriguing-sounding subjects (cultural factors, temperature in marketing, temperature and health, etc.) only to boil down to “there aren’t really good studies on this” or “that effect isn’t as strong as stereotypes would have you believe.” Certain points are repeated over and over, while other concepts aren’t explained at all. There’s a lot of jargon and at the same time, a lack of specifics. Much focus is given to questions that seem to be of less interest to a popular audience, like precisely what part of the brain controls thermoregulation. Apparent contradictions in data aren’t discussed: for instance, a study in which the author groups people who responded that they do turn up the thermostat when cold right along with people who responded that they don’t. Also, some of the studies discussed are really awful (cat mutilation for instance—I don’t care if it would be virtue signaling, I still wanted at least some acknowledgment that it was awful). And the author seems hyper-focused on thermoregulation as the most important factor in human existence and evolution, to the exclusion of everything else.
The book is short and the pages turn relatively quickly, but I didn’t learn nearly as much from it as I’d hoped. In his defense, the author is an actual psychological researcher and seems to write better than most scientists, but that isn’t actually saying much—there’s a reason good popular nonfiction is usually written by journalists or others with a writing background rather than the researchers themselves. It also may be that we just don’t know enough about this subject yet to merit a book for a popular audience.
I think, based on an often casual tone, that this book is meant to appeal to the general reader, but I’m not entirely sure. It’s an interesting subject, essentially how body temperature relates to other aspects of human and animal life. And it starts out well, discussing psychological studies showing an interesting connection: experimental subjects asked to hold a warm cup reported greater feelings of emotional connectedness than those asked to hold a cold cup. This suggests that emotional “warmth” and “coldness” are not just metaphors but related to our bodies’ actual temperature regulation. Which is further suggested by other studies, such as one showing that people who feel rejected in an online game have colder skin temperatures, and report more desire for hot food and drink.
Unfortunately, despite a few cool factoids about human and animal thermoregulation, the rest of the book didn’t provide enough to make it worthwhile for me. Many of the chapters have intriguing-sounding subjects (cultural factors, temperature in marketing, temperature and health, etc.) only to boil down to “there aren’t really good studies on this” or “that effect isn’t as strong as stereotypes would have you believe.” Certain points are repeated over and over, while other concepts aren’t explained at all. There’s a lot of jargon and at the same time, a lack of specifics. Much focus is given to questions that seem to be of less interest to a popular audience, like precisely what part of the brain controls thermoregulation. Apparent contradictions in data aren’t discussed: for instance, a study in which the author groups people who responded that they do turn up the thermostat when cold right along with people who responded that they don’t. Also, some of the studies discussed are really awful (cat mutilation for instance—I don’t care if it would be virtue signaling, I still wanted at least some acknowledgment that it was awful). And the author seems hyper-focused on thermoregulation as the most important factor in human existence and evolution, to the exclusion of everything else.
The book is short and the pages turn relatively quickly, but I didn’t learn nearly as much from it as I’d hoped. In his defense, the author is an actual psychological researcher and seems to write better than most scientists, but that isn’t actually saying much—there’s a reason good popular nonfiction is usually written by journalists or others with a writing background rather than the researchers themselves. It also may be that we just don’t know enough about this subject yet to merit a book for a popular audience.
October 6, 2022
這本書雖然以溫度為主軸，提出許多實驗跟社會與生物的觀察，以主題來說其實挺有趣的，書裡提出的心理學實驗發想也讓人覺得很有意思。
但除此之外架構編排得很亂，閱讀過程很難抓到重點，像是最前面提到很有趣的現象/實驗，看到中後又會被推翻，但在這兩件事之間又加入了企鵝的生態、人類演化發展、文化差異的理由等等各式各樣的新知。等到看到後半本的時候其實已經不太知道自己現在在看什麼了，以至於有資訊量的書只能被單點式的接受資訊，而無法進行資訊的串連與推論，非常可惜。
給這本書2.5顆星，四捨五入打成3顆星。
但除此之外架構編排得很亂，閱讀過程很難抓到重點，像是最前面提到很有趣的現象/實驗，看到中後又會被推翻，但在這兩件事之間又加入了企鵝的生態、人類演化發展、文化差異的理由等等各式各樣的新知。等到看到後半本的時候其實已經不太知道自己現在在看什麼了，以至於有資訊量的書只能被單點式的接受資訊，而無法進行資訊的串連與推論，非常可惜。
給這本書2.5顆星，四捨五入打成3顆星。
January 23, 2022
Unsere innere Körpertemperaturregulierung unterscheidet sich zu vielen anderen Tierarten, doch trotzdem haben wir auch Gemeinsamkeiten wie zum Beispiel mit Pinguinen. Pinguine sind wie wir Menschen Endotherm, sie können aber in außergewöhnlichen Umgebungen mit bitterkalten Temperaturen überleben. Dafür müssen sie nur im sozialen Geflecht nah beinanderstehen, um eine Temperatur von 36 Grad zu erreichen.
Umgebungstemperatur hat auch auf den Menschen großen Einfluss. So gibt es etliche Studien, die zeigen, dass Menschen saisonal bedingte Stimmungsstörungen kriegen, die mit der Jahreszeit korrelieren.
Wir urteilen auch bedingt durch Temperaturen wie wir andere Menschen wahrnehmen und diese beschreiben.
Das Buch gewährt einen interessanten Einblick in die Sozialwissenschaft der inneren Körperregulierung
Umgebungstemperatur hat auch auf den Menschen großen Einfluss. So gibt es etliche Studien, die zeigen, dass Menschen saisonal bedingte Stimmungsstörungen kriegen, die mit der Jahreszeit korrelieren.
Wir urteilen auch bedingt durch Temperaturen wie wir andere Menschen wahrnehmen und diese beschreiben.
Das Buch gewährt einen interessanten Einblick in die Sozialwissenschaft der inneren Körperregulierung
August 30, 2022
3/5
有點像是關於溫度的100個小知識，雖然都是有實驗佐證，但是有些感覺很牽強，只能說是本重視廣度而非深度的書
有點像是關於溫度的100個小知識，雖然都是有實驗佐證，但是有些感覺很牽強，只能說是本重視廣度而非深度的書
August 18, 2024
「中央供暖系統減少了我們對溫暖依偎的生存需求，這可能對人類如何利用社交體溫調節來建立、加強、維持社交與情感關係構成的影響挑戰。電子與數位通訊等現代技術的普及，讓我們即使相隔兩地（更遑論實體接觸）也可以聯繫彼此。雖然彼此相隔很遠，我們依然能即時聽到、見到對方，這種能力雖然卓越，但也提醒我們，失去『實體親近』時所失去的一切。
觸摸與溫暖是一種強大的人類交流方式，當一項技術無法提供這種交流時，我們最能深切地感受到其威力。尤其，當技術出乎意料地掛點時（例如爐子故障，導致突然沒有中央供暖系統），我們才赫然體悟到，為了取暖、甚至為了保命而不得不與人依偎一起，意味著什麼。在那種極端情況下，即使是今天，也會讓我們猛然想起，在整個演化過程中，社交溫暖對生理溫暖的依賴，是如何演變成一種人體固有的先天結構，就像企鵝、裸鼴鼠或摩洛哥的巴巴里獼猴等動物一樣。」
/
總共九個章節：「熱飲、電熱毯與孤獨——溫度與人際關係」、「人類機器——溫度與體現認知」、「企鵝哈利——動物如何因應溫度」、「人也是企鵝——體內恆溫器的運作原理」、「鼠媽火辣辣——溫度與依附」、「不是單靠下視丘——文化如何改變社交體溫調節」、「為什麼你該在冷天賣房——溫度對行銷的影響」、「從憂鬱症到癌症——溫度療法」及「快樂的哥斯大黎加人——溫度、氣候與幸福」。
作者利用前半部分闡述溫度的相關變化，從多角度解構溫度的定義：大至機械、科技，小至動物、感受與體會，從而藉此連結至人際關係，到底溫度對一個人的影響力有多大呢？適當的溫度確實有助我們留待在舒適區，感受舒服的狀態，一切自然而然。只是書中也強調一點——人類需要調整溫度，以在社會上生存，尤其是面對不同的人際關係與連結，一旦失去溫度的操作，便會無法感受當中的相處的平衡。雖然前半部分就以多角度的學術層面解構「溫度」，知識及理論挺豐富，但作為一個切入點以解釋溫度是能直接影響人類情緒，實在有點勉強。讀者若不是站於學術層面，好奇相關理論的話，會因此感到沉悶。
後來的篇章，探討有關憂鬱症至癌症的狀態，無法想像調節溫度能改變患者病症的嚴重程度，適當的關心與慰問，甚至是微小的支持，也有助患者在治療過程得到康復的機會。溫度影響一個人如何面對挑戰、理解事物的動機與看法，某程度上都是一種屬於群體所造成的溫度影響力，能成為一個人的推動力，同時也能摧毀個人的社會地位，故此也突出溫度需透過調節才能減少失衡的問題。根據每個層面的解釋，也許溫度是一種調節機制以運用於日常生活，藉此連接交際能力，獨立處理每件事情該有的態度及情緒。作為一個有溫度的人，能吸引身旁的人感受自身上所釋出的溫暖，並且同時作為鼓勵及推動力，能滿足人們不同層次的需求。
另外，那些失去溫度調節的人們，大多無法正常交際，甚至被排擠或冷待。能感受溫度，聰明地控制與調節其狀態，對個人發展及成長的速度有所影響，逐漸意識低溫度的人有種與溫度剝離的狀態，並非有意造成此結果，也許是間接因某種原因而所導致的。感受的能力也是受到溫度所影響，即使無法評論、推斷熱飲人士是個有溫度的人，但至少在擁有正常的調節溫度的情況下，可以藉此擴大人際網絡，以致能為他人帶來不少正面性、信任度、分享欲及影響力。
溫度的影響力，就是逐漸靠近我們的日常生活，但也因科技而被掩蓋成為一種假象，讓人無法判別實際的溫度。
觸摸與溫暖是一種強大的人類交流方式，當一項技術無法提供這種交流時，我們最能深切地感受到其威力。尤其，當技術出乎意料地掛點時（例如爐子故障，導致突然沒有中央供暖系統），我們才赫然體悟到，為了取暖、甚至為了保命而不得不與人依偎一起，意味著什麼。在那種極端情況下，即使是今天，也會讓我們猛然想起，在整個演化過程中，社交溫暖對生理溫暖的依賴，是如何演變成一種人體固有的先天結構，就像企鵝、裸鼴鼠或摩洛哥的巴巴里獼猴等動物一樣。」
/
總共九個章節：「熱飲、電熱毯與孤獨——溫度與人際關係」、「人類機器——溫度與體現認知」、「企鵝哈利——動物如何因應溫度」、「人也是企鵝——體內恆溫器的運作原理」、「鼠媽火辣辣——溫度與依附」、「不是單靠下視丘——文化如何改變社交體溫調節」、「為什麼你該在冷天賣房——溫度對行銷的影響」、「從憂鬱症到癌症——溫度療法」及「快樂的哥斯大黎加人——溫度、氣候與幸福」。
作者利用前半部分闡述溫度的相關變化，從多角度解構溫度的定義：大至機械、科技，小至動物、感受與體會，從而藉此連結至人際關係，到底溫度對一個人的影響力有多大呢？適當的溫度確實有助我們留待在舒適區，感受舒服的狀態，一切自然而然。只是書中也強調一點——人類需要調整溫度，以在社會上生存，尤其是面對不同的人際關係與連結，一旦失去溫度的操作，便會無法感受當中的相處的平衡。雖然前半部分就以多角度的學術層面解構「溫度」，知識及理論挺豐富，但作為一個切入點以解釋溫度是能直接影響人類情緒，實在有點勉強。讀者若不是站於學術層面，好奇相關理論的話，會因此感到沉悶。
後來的篇章，探討有關憂鬱症至癌症的狀態，無法想像調節溫度能改變患者病症的嚴重程度，適當的關心與慰問，甚至是微小的支持，也有助患者在治療過程得到康復的機會。溫度影響一個人如何面對挑戰、理解事物的動機與看法，某程度上都是一種屬於群體所造成的溫度影響力，能成為一個人的推動力，同時也能摧毀個人的社會地位，故此也突出溫度需透過調節才能減少失衡的問題。根據每個層面的解釋，也許溫度是一種調節機制以運用於日常生活，藉此連接交際能力，獨立處理每件事情該有的態度及情緒。作為一個有溫度的人，能吸引身旁的人感受自身上所釋出的溫暖，並且同時作為鼓勵及推動力，能滿足人們不同層次的需求。
另外，那些失去溫度調節的人們，大多無法正常交際，甚至被排擠或冷待。能感受溫度，聰明地控制與調節其狀態，對個人發展及成長的速度有所影響，逐漸意識低溫度的人有種與溫度剝離的狀態，並非有意造成此結果，也許是間接因某種原因而所導致的。感受的能力也是受到溫度所影響，即使無法評論、推斷熱飲人士是個有溫度的人，但至少在擁有正常的調節溫度的情況下，可以藉此擴大人際網絡，以致能為他人帶來不少正面性、信任度、分享欲及影響力。
溫度的影響力，就是逐漸靠近我們的日常生活，但也因科技而被掩蓋成為一種假象，讓人無法判別實際的溫度。
December 11, 2022
I enjoy reading pure psychology books - books that are authored by someone who has conducted a study and puts this study into the context of previous studies in the form of a book. Often these are less profound than they could be, because of the nature of pure psychology studies.
This book promised to be interesting - looking at the human and mammalian relationship between temperature and social relationships or social thermoregulation.
This book promised to be interesting - looking at the human and mammalian relationship between temperature and social relationships or social thermoregulation.
December 25, 2024
This book is a more difficult read than most popular science books. But it's very interesting and applicable. The tone varies between casual reference to popular culture to highly technical complex metaphors. It is humble and does not offer any big picture conclusions about thermoregulations beyond what can be supported by specific studies. But it is a useful overview of how thermoregulation influences personality.
August 18, 2023
Extremely informative, but also somewhat dry. Of course, as a scientist, Hans needs to provide information about the studies he and others completed to come to their conclusions, but I feel like sometimes the book gets bogged down by minutiae. Would definitely read again, would recommend to others, but having an academic background is definitely helpful when reading this book.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews