#542 - Dr Randy Nesse - Evolutionary Psychiatry Can Explain Human Emotions

Eric Klinger

I wish everybody could read his work. It's profound.

I just wrote a chapter for a book that's coming out next week about evolutionary psychiatry.

There has been a lot of speculation in evolutionary psychology about maybe schizophrenia is somehow beneficial.

Guest: Randy Nesse

Episode summary

Randy Nesse is a physician, author and founder of the field of evolutionary medicine and evolutionary psychiatry. Evolution created an odd creature in humans. We're able to fly to the moon and cure diseases. But we also get anxious in the supermarket or depressed if we have a bad week. Why would mother nature make us so fragile? If natural selection is powerful why are mental disorders so common? Expect to learn why the capacity for low mood exists at all, how low mood and depression could be evolutionarily advantageous, what happens if someone has too little fear or anxiety, why bad feelings are useless but normal, how eating disorders could be an adaptive response to the local environment and much more...

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Eric Klinger

The host mentions Eric Klinger's book to emphasize the importance of understanding motivation and the need to adapt s…

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The host mentions the book 'evolutionary psychiatry' as a significant contribution to understanding mental health dis…

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eating disorders and genetics(1)evolutionary psychiatry book(1)overcoming social phobias(1)

The host references 'Psychology Today' to highlight the limitations of genetic explanations for eating disorders. The…

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The conversation centers on eating disorders and genetics.
A second recurring theme is evolutionary psychiatry book.
Referenced books include The Psychology of Motivation by Eric Klinger and evolutionary psychiatry.
The strongest audience signal points to Individuals dealing with motivation issues and mental health professionals. and Mental health professionals and researchers.

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Individuals dealing with motivation issues and mental health professionals.Mental health professionals and researchersIndividuals interested in psychology and mental health

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Eric Klinger

Best for Individuals dealing with motivation issues and mental health professionals.Often cited around overcoming social phobias

“Eric Klinger is a psychologist in Minnesota, wrote about this in 1975. I wish everybody could read his work. It's profound.”

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Sentiment: Highly Recommended

Trigger: overcoming social phobias

For: Individuals dealing with motivation issues and mental health professionals.

Key quote: “I wish everybody could read his work. It's profound.”

The host mentions Eric Klinger's book to emphasize the importance of understanding motivation and the need to adapt strategies when faced with failure. Klinger’s insights are presented as profound and beneficial for anyone struggling with motivation and goal-setting.

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Best for Mental health professionals and researchersOften cited around evolutionary psychiatry book

“I just wrote a chapter for a book that's coming out next week about evolutionary psychiatry. I think 27 chapters. It'll be definitive for some time.”

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Sentiment: Highly Recommended

Trigger: evolutionary psychiatry book

For: Mental health professionals and researchers

Key quote: “I just wrote a chapter for a book that's coming out next week about evolutionary psychiatry.”

The host mentions the book 'evolutionary psychiatry' as a significant contribution to understanding mental health disorders through an evolutionary lens. They express excitement about the book's comprehensive approach and their own involvement in its creation.

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Best for Individuals interested in psychology and mental healthOften cited around eating disorders and genetics

“The last chapter of my book, and I have a big article in Psychology Today suggesting some.”

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Sentiment: Critical Analysis

Trigger: eating disorders and genetics

For: Individuals interested in psychology and mental health

Key quote: “There has been a lot of speculation in evolutionary psychology about maybe schizophrenia is somehow beneficial.”

The host references 'Psychology Today' to highlight the limitations of genetic explanations for eating disorders. They argue for a deeper understanding of these disorders through the lens of evolutionary psychology and natural selection.

Direct Amazon listing · affiliate link

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The Psychology of Motivation

Modern Wisdom · 39:02

I wish everybody could read his work. It's profound.

evolutionary psychiatry

Modern Wisdom · 50:36

I just wrote a chapter for a book that's coming out next week about evolutionary psychiatry.

Psychology Today

Modern Wisdom · 1:13:05

There has been a lot of speculation in evolutionary psychology about maybe schizophrenia is somehow beneficial.

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Eric Klinger

The host mentions Eric Klinger's book to emphasize the importance of understanding motivation and the need to adapt strategies when faced with fail…

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Mentioned at 50:36

Check price Jump to mention

The host mentions the book 'evolutionary psychiatry' as a significant contribution to understanding mental health disorders through an evolutionary…

Direct Amazon listing · affiliate link

Mentioned at 1:13:05