EFTA00766535.pdf

From: John Cacioppo To: Jeffrey Epstein <[email protected]> Subject: Re: thanks. Date: Sat, 26 Dec 2009 17:42:38 +0000 Attachments: CSB04.pdf Jeffrey, No disagreement, we have described a multidimensional slice (a scientific model) to model a much higher dimensional space. I understand you may regard the theory or approach we take to be too simple to be of interest, but I would like to leave you with two observations. First, your comments speak to the scientific enterprise itself. I am attaching a short piece on this that I hope you enjoy. Second, the temporal component is inherent in the longitudinal analyses and in many of the mechanism we have proposed. For instance, the contagion of loneliness is the accrued effects of interpersonal behaviors over time. One interaction would not be sufficient to produce many of the effects we described in our studies, which is why these studies cover as long as a decade. You have to admit that these are not exactly your typical psychology study. Some of the effects would, though, because of the second temporal component we discuss - evolutionary time. Our tendency to affiliate with and support other humans serve an adaptive function, especially in the area of self-defense because of the safety provided by large numbers who stood together against threats and attacks. Consequently, we have argued that the mind is not born a blank slate but rather we have feelings of pleasure in affiliation and feelings of displeasure when deprived of interaction with others. Together, this biological carrot and stick promotes social contact and sympathy — and a mind that is better understood in terms of its connections with others than as an isolated information processing organ. Our might derives from our actions as a connected collective rather than as the sum of our isolated actions. Yes, cooperation and altruism are enhanced by repeated interactions and accountability, but cooperation and altruism can also be found in single trial games and in single slices through everyday life — especially when conditions exist that promote empathy or shared identity (e.g., ingroup identification). "Educated" individuals tend not to be the ones who show these behaviors because they tend to analyze the exigencies and behave rationally, but the notion of network reciprocity in evolutionary biology has emerged to help explain such data. The environment is also a critical component in both these time periods, I would never argue otherwise. For instance, the notion that affiliation has an adaptive function implies environmental variation is important. Have a great New Year, John On 12/26/09 8:38 AM, "Jeffrey Epstein" <jeevacationagmall.com> wrote: I've now completed my homework assignment„ thanks„ from a system view, it seems a little narrow to define successful strategies, without a temporal component or an environment . the environment to include availability and extent of resources. altruism does not work without repeated interactions. cooperation doesn't work with very limited resource. Like the quorum triggers, for cells, minions for jews, jury selection for jurisprudence. critical phase transition behaviors seem to play a signifiant role. Many of the proposed strategies and explanations appear as a slice through a multidimensional figure. I'm not sure what theory it truly describes. EFTA00766535