cover image Fear Itself

Fear Itself

Rush W. Dozier, Jr.. St. Martin's Griffin, $23.95 (288pp) ISBN 978-0-312-19412-3

One of the most important distinctions between humans and the world's other animals, according to Dozier (Codes of Evolution), is our enhanced sense of the future. The price we pay for that ability to peer ahead, however, is fear. We are painfully aware of our own mortality as well as of myriad other calamities that might well befall us and our loved ones. When properly moderated, our fears encourage us to respond appropriately to environmental stimuli, whether they be a poisonous snake, an urban mugger or an upcoming deadline for a presentation to one's boss. According to the author, when the primitive portion of our brains (the limbic system that we share with many other animals) gains the upper hand, phobias, obsessive-compulsive behavior and other pathological manifestations may arise. Taking an evolutionary and neurological approach, Dozier does an excellent job of providing an overview of how the brain works while demonstrating the far-reaching effects that the primal emotion of fear has on both individuals and society. Controversially, he harshly criticizes psychological treatments that ignore what he sees as the underlying biochemical bases of behavior. Covering topics ranging from the behavioral similarities of serial killers to thrill-seeking behavior, Dozier makes a notable contribution to the popular literature on the relationship between biology and behavior. (Nov.)