First published 2015
Touch operates as the foundation of human experience, yet most people barely understand its power. Neuroscientist David J. Linden reveals how this fundamental sense controls more of our lives than we realize. The book examines why we cannot tickle ourselves, explains how footballers who embrace teammates score more goals, and demonstrates why gripping a hot coffee cup makes us view others more favorably. Linden shows that touch begins functioning before birth and remains essential throughout life. Babies denied regular physical contact develop lasting stress patterns and fearful personalities. The author combines research findings with practical examples, from how brief contact with a server increases tip amounts to why selecting a warm beverage during job interviews boosts success rates. Linden draws on his expertise as a Johns Hopkins neuroscience professor to decode the mechanisms behind pleasure and pain. The book demonstrates how this undervalued sense bonds people together and influences daily decisions in unexpected ways.
Genres: neuroscience, non-fiction, biology, academic
Vibes: informative, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: educational, informative
Setting: Johns Hopkins
ebook · Penguin