Randolph Nesse on Anxiety and Evolution (Episode 72)
Aug 25, 2023
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Dr. Randolph Nesse, author of 'Good Reasons for Bad Feelings,' discusses anxiety from an evolutionary perspective. The podcast explores the evolutionary origins of anxiety, the role of commitment in social groups, imposter syndrome, mental health treatments, charisma, and human nature. Delve into the essential conversation on understanding negative emotions and insights of the Stoics.
Anxiety serves as a motivational tool to steer individuals away from harm and towards better choices.
Social anxiety is influenced by the human preference for trustworthy and empathetic social partners, impacting relationships and success.
Deep dives
The role of anxiety and its evolutionary origins
Dr. Randolph Nessie discusses the evolutionary purpose of anxiety, highlighting its role in helping organisms avoid dangers and losses. He explains how anxiety, although often uncomfortable, motivates individuals to steer clear of harmful situations and make better choices in the future. He also explores the concept of the hair-trigger response in anxiety and the challenges it presents in modern society. Dr. Nessie emphasizes the importance of understanding anxiety and finding ways to cope effectively with it.
The connection between desire, human relationships, and social anxiety
Dr. Randolph Nessie delves into the connection between desires, human relationships, and social anxiety. He explains how human preference for social partners who are honest, trustworthy, and empathic has shaped our capacity for social anxiety, leading individuals to be sensitive to others' opinions. He highlights the benefits of being preferred as a social partner and the advantages it brings in terms of better relationships and increased opportunities for success. Dr. Nessie also explores the origins of human morality and the importance of understanding the role of social anxiety in human interactions.
The complexities of objective thinking and the power of cognitive interventions
Dr. Randolph Nessie discusses the challenges and importance of objective thinking and cognitive interventions. While objectivity is valued in therapy, he acknowledges that it is not always the best approach for every situation. Dr. Nessie emphasizes the value of listening carefully to individuals and understanding their unique perspectives and desires. He also highlights the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy in helping individuals identify and replace inaccurate thoughts, thus leading to positive changes in their emotions and behaviors.
Finding resilience in failure and the search for advice
Dr. Randolph Nessie explores the role of failure and the human search for advice. He emphasizes the need to discuss and understand how individuals deal with failure, and the impact it has on self-perception and motivation. He highlights the importance of resilience and the ability to learn from failures, without letting them diminish one's sense of self-worth. Dr. Nessie also reflects on the human tendency to seek advice from others, whether it be in therapy, religion, or other areas of life, and the underlying desire for guidance and affiliation.
This is an essential conversation for understanding the nature of negative emotions. We touch on why we get anxious, what we can do about it, why we may not want to become less anxious, the role of advice, and, of course, the insights of the Stoics.
https://www.randolphnesse.com/
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