The Science of Consequences: How They Affect Genes, Change the Brain, and Impact Our World

383 Pages·2012·2.3 MB·English

by  Susan M. Schneider

Published 2012 by Prometheus Books
The Science of Consequences: How They Affect Genes, Change the Brain, and Impact
Our World. Copyright © 2012 by Susan M. Schneider. All rights reserved. No part of
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Cover design by Jacqueline Nasso Cooke
Interior illustrations by René C. Reyes
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Schneider, Susan M., 1958–
The science of consequences : how they affect genes, change the brain, and impact
our world / by Susan M. Schneider.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978–1–61614–662–7 (pbk. : alk. paper)
ISBN 978–1–61614–663–4 (ebook)
1. Reinforcement (Pyschology) 2. Decision Making—Pyschological aspects. 3.
Nature and nurture. I. Title
BF319.5.R4S358 2012
153.8'5—dc23 2012023395
Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper
For my mother
and in memory of my father
Preface
PART 1: CONSEQUENCES AND HOW NATURE-NURTURE REALLY
WORKS
CHAPTER 1. CONSEQUENCES EVERYWHERE
Origins and Definitions
Waltzing Pigeons and Roller-Coaster Fish: Consequences across Species
Getting Stimulated: Sensory Consequences
The Spice of Life: Variety as a Consequence
The Creative Consequence
Taking Advantage of Variety
The Positive Side of Problems
Taking Control
CHAPTER 2. CONSEQUENCES AND EVOLUTION: THE CAUSE
THAT WORKS BACKWARD
Dance of the Balloons
Flexible Instincts
Songbirds
Bugs That Learn
Which Came First?
The Evolution of Consequences
Bird Beaks Pointing the Way: How Consequences Lead Evolution
The Cause That Works Backward
CHAPTER 3. GENES AND CONSEQUENCES
Meet Your Genome
Getting Turned On
The Genetics of Consequences
Interactions Everywhere
What’s Inherited—and What Isn’t
Epigenetics: New Kid in the Neighborhood
CHAPTER 4. NEUROSCIENCE AND CONSEQUENCES
Enrichment on the Brain
Neurons and Connections
Rewarding Chemicals: Dopamine and Its Cousins
Pleasure Centers
The Sky’s the Limit: Neuroplasticity and Real-Life Applications
PART 2: THERE’S A SCIENCE OF CONSEQUENCES?
CHAPTER 5. CONSEQUENCES ON SCHEDULE: SIMPLE
PRINCIPLES WITH SURPRISING OUTCOMES
False Consequences
Consequences on Schedule
Work-Based Schedules and the Power of Unpredictability
Consequences on Time
Progress and Perseverance
Making the Most of Schedules
Schedules Everywhere
CHAPTER 6. THE DARK SIDE OF CONSEQUENCES
Shades of Gray
Feelings
Choosing Pain
Aggression
Making Negatives Work—Positively
CHAPTER 7. CHOICES AND SIGNALS
The Matching Game
So What Can the Matching Law Do?
Winning Matches
Getting the Signal
A Smorgasbord of Signals
Of Signal Importance
CHAPTER 8. PAVLOV AND CONSEQUENCES: AN ESSENTIAL
PARTNERSHIP
Compensating Reactions and Drug Tolerance
Not All in Your Head: The Placebo Effect and Other Mind-Body Surprises
Getting Emotional
Value, Anticipation, and Learned Consequences
Learned and Unlearned
CHAPTER 9. OBSERVING AND ATTENDING
The Many Roles of Attention
Not-So-Simple Observations
Beneath the Radar: Consequences without Awareness
It’s Automatic
Observing Others
The Ultimate in Observing: Imitation
CHAPTER 10. THINKING AND COMMUNICATING
Categories Large and Small
Simple Communication
The Understanding Animal: Simple Language
Human Language and Its Consequences
Same Word, Different Consequence
Babble On
Language Learning in Real Life
Strictly Private
Making Up the Rules
Language and Biology
PART 3: SHAPING DESTINIES
CHAPTER 11. EVERYDAY CONSEQUENCES
Creating Rewards
How We Treat Each Other
Altruism
Shaping the Future
The Challenging Side of Parenting
What Marriage Can Be
Real Self-Esteem
CHAPTER 12. FIGHTING THE IMPULSE: SELF-CONTROL,
ANYONE?
Detecting Delays
The Disappearing Reward
The Marshmallow and the Kid
Fighting the Impulse: Using What We Know
Taking Charge of Weight
CHAPTER 13. ENDANGERED SPECIES, UNDERCOVER CROWS,
AND THE FAMILY DOG: APPLICATIONS FOR ANIMALS
Animal Companions
At the Zoo: Animal Care the Easy Way
Life at the Zoo
From Endangered Species to Farm Animals
Animals That Save Our Lives
CHAPTER 14. THE REWARDS OF EDUCATION AND WORK
There Are No Shortcuts
Consequences in Classroom Management
Maximizing Potential
Successful Programs
More on Motivation
Consequences at Work
CHAPTER 15. HELP FOR ADDICTION, AUTISM, AND OTHER
CONDITIONS
Churchill’s “Black Dog”: Depression
Anxiety and Fear
Getting Unhooked: Addiction
Autism
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Drugs or Consequences?
Brief Notes
CHAPTER 16. CONSEQUENCES ON A GRAND SCALE: SOCIETY,
THE LONG TERM, AND THE PLANET
Obedience and Disobedience
Overcoming Prejudice
Politics: The Art of the Possible Meets the Science of Consequences
The Short Term versus the Long Term: Having It All?
Glossary
Acknowledgments
Notes
Bibliography
Index