Emotions 2.0: The Logic of Rage
Hidden Brain
Deep Dive
Why did Saru Najarian slap his cousin?
Saru's cousin pestered him to share his baseball and basketball cards, leading to a boiling point where Saru's anger took over and he slapped her.
What triggered Paula Reid's rage?
Paula's neighbor was using a bulldozer to knock down trees to build a shorter driveway, which led to her seizing a machete and attacking the bulldozer.
Why did Jess Cavender initially not react with rage during the home invasion?
Jess tried to appease the robbers by offering them what they wanted, focusing on survival and avoiding immediate danger.
What caused Jess Cavender to finally snap during the home invasion?
When Jess realized the robber might take her camera, which represented her livelihood, she felt a strong emotional response and demanded the robber leave her house.
Why did Doug Fields, the neuroscientist, initially not react to the pickpocket in Paris?
Doug had a decoy wallet in his back pocket, so he was unfazed when the pickpocket targeted him, believing the thief had taken the decoy wallet.
What caused Doug Fields to snap in Barcelona?
Doug's wallet was stolen again, containing all his cash and credit cards, leading to a sudden outburst of rage where he physically confronted the thief.
Why does natural selection preserve systems in the brain that cause unthinking haste and violence?
These systems allow for rapid responses to immediate threats, which are crucial for survival when conscious thought is too slow.
What role does rage play in social protest movements?
Rage acts as a signaling device that galvanizes people, motivates them, and brings them together in movements towards increased justice.
Why might rage be useful to groups and causes despite its potential harm to individuals?
Rage can prompt individuals to take stands and incur personal costs, helping the group to which they belong by prioritizing group interests over narrow self-interest.
- Rage can be triggered by personal threats, violations of social norms, or the defense of vital resources.
- Examples include Saru Najarian slapping his cousin over baseball cards and Paula Reid attacking a neighbor's bulldozer.