{"title":"Douglas Kenrick","description":"\u003cp\u003eDouglas Kenrick is an engaging and insightful author whose works explore the intriguing interplay between psychology, behaviour, and human nature. With a primary focus on the factors driving our decisions and actions, Kenrick delves into the deeper aspects of what governs human life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAt the core of his writings, such as \u003cem\u003eSex, Murder, and the Meaning of Life\u003c\/em\u003e, Kenrick merges scientific findings with everyday scenarios, offering readers a fascinating glimpse into the psychological underpinnings of our lives. His approachable style and thought-provoking insights make complex topics easily understandable and relevant, as he artfully ties in substantial academic research with relatable tales from daily life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis collection is perfect for those intrigued by the inner workings of the mind or those keen on understanding the hidden motives behind human nature. Whether you are a student of psychology, an enthusiast of philosophical discussions, or simply a curious reader, Douglas Kenrick's works are sure to captivate and enlighten, leaving you with new perspectives on the essence of existence.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"sex-murder-and-the-meaning-of-life-by-douglas-kenrick-9780465032341","title":"Sex, Murder, and the Meaning of Life","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Kenrick writes like a dream.” - Robert Sapolsky, Professor of Biology and Neurology, Stanford University, author of \u003cem\u003eA Primate's Memoir\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eWhy Zebras Don't Get Ulcers\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhat do sex and murder have to do with the meaning of life? Everything. In \u003cem\u003eSex, Murder, and the Meaning of Life\u003c\/em\u003e, social psychologist Douglas Kenrick exposes the selfish, animalistic underside of human nature, and shows how it is intimately connected to our greatest and most selfless achievements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMasterfully integrating cognitive science, evolutionary psychology, and complexity theory, this intriguing book paints a comprehensive picture of the principles that govern our lives. As Kenrick divulges, beneath our civilized veneer, human beings are a lot like howling hyenas and barking baboons, with heads full of homicidal tendencies and sexual fantasies. However, many ingrained, apparently irrational behaviours—such as inclinations to one-night stands, racial prejudices, and conspicuous consumption—ultimately manifest what he calls \"Deep Rationality.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough our heads are full of simple selfish biases that evolved to help our ancestors survive, modern human beings are anything but simple and selfish cavemen. Kenrick argues that the simple and selfish mental mechanisms we inherited from our ancestors ultimately give rise to the multifaceted social lives we lead today and to the most positive features of humanity, including generosity, artistic creativity, love, and familial bonds. From those simple mechanisms emerge all the complexities of society, including international conflicts and global economic markets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBy exploring the nuances of social psychology and the surprising results of his own research, Kenrick offers a detailed picture of what makes us caring, creative, and complex—that is, fully human. Illuminated with stories from Kenrick's colourful experiences—from his criminally inclined shantytown Irish relatives, his own multiple high school expulsions, broken marriages, and homicidal fantasies, to his eventual success as an evolutionary psychologist and loving father of two boys separated by 26 years—this book is an exploration of our mental biases and failures, and our mind's great successes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIdiosyncratic, controversial, and fascinating, \u003cem\u003eSex, Murder, and the Meaning of Life\u003c\/em\u003e uncovers the pitfalls and promise of our biological inheritance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47000742002924,"sku":"9780465032341","price":75.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/15259543482353.jpg?v=1763301609"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/douglas-kenrick.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}