PDFs

By Riane Eisler and Daniel S. Levine for Brain and Mind 3: 9–52, 2002.
© 2002 Kluwer Academic Publishers. Printed in the Netherlands.

Abstract

This article develops a theory for how caring behavior fits into the makeup of humans and other mammals. Biochemical evidence for three major patterns of response to stressful or otherwise complex situations is reviewed. There is the classic fight-or-flight response; the dissociative response, involving emotional withdrawal and disengagement; and the bonding response, a variant of which Taylor et al. (2000) called tend-and-befriend. All three of these responses can be explained as adaptations that have been selected for in evolution and are shared between humans and other mammals. Yet each of us contains varying tendencies toward all of these responses.

How does development interact with genes to influence these tendencies?

How do individuals, societies, and institutions make choices between these types of responses?

We review the evidence, based on behavioral, lesion, single-cell, and brain imaging studies, for cortical-subcortical interactions involved in all three of these response types, and propose partial neural network models for some of these interactions. We propose that the orbitomedial prefrontal cortex mediates this choice process. This area of prefrontal cortex performs this mediation through its connections with areas of sensory and association cortex that represent social contexts or stimuli, and with areas of the hypothalamus, limbic system, and autonomic nervous system that represent emotional states or classes of response patterns.

The article concludes with implications of our theory for social interactions and institutions. We argue that despite the wide prevalence of fight-or-flight responses, the bonding, caring responses remain available. We show with historical and contemporary examples how social settings – whether in education, work places, families, politics, and informal social customs – can be designed to support and enhance the natural caring responses of the brain.

This is an excerpt of an article written by Riane Eisler and published in Huffington Post in September, 2008.

Our economic system needs a major overhaul. What we’re seeing today is how inefficient unregulated markets really are, just as we’ve seen that, rather than raining prosperity down on us, “trickle down economics” were a disaster. On the other hand, what’s needed is not shifting to socialism. Ironically, the same administration that screamed about creeping socialism at the mere mention of business regulations took over Freddie Mac and Fannie Mac. These huge enterprises are now state owned. If that’s not socialism, what is?

This crisis could have been avoided if the rules of the economic game were not slanted to protect uncaring and irresponsible business practices. Beyond the necessary government regulations dismantled by Republicans, who stubbornly refused to apply virtually any controls to granting credit and allowing credit trading by banks, are the basic rules driving our economic system which continue to promote rather than prevent uncaring and irresponsible behaviors. This again is behind the Bush Administration’s proposed 700 billion dollar bailout – in still another nationalizing of failing enterprises with taxpayers’ funds that should go to promote human welfare and environmental sustainability instead.
Insanity has been defined as continuing to do things that don’t make sense, that don’t achieve their stated goals, that cause misery and unhappiness.

So where do we go from here? First, let’s not let the government use failed economic measures of corporate welfare to put its finger in the bursting economic dike. We must urge Congress to instead enact measures that offer better protection from loss to people’s bank accounts, from foreclosures, and shores up small investments.

We invite you to read the rest of Riane Eisler’s Huffington Post article here.

“In this superb piece, Riane Eisler tries to untangle the limitations of both capitalism and socialism. There is no place for a caring economy in these models — no value given to caring for our trees or, as emphasized in this piece, our children. New models are needed, and the author presents the beginning of one. If economics moves in any direction, it should be this one.” – Jeff Madrick, Challenge Editor.

https://rianeeisler.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Economics-as-if-Caring-Matters.pdf

“On behalf of the entire James Madison University community, I want to thank you for sharing so generously of your time and story with us as part of our Madison Vision lecture series. . .You challenged us to think deeply and creatively . . The feedback has been superb, not just on your inspiring address but also with regard to the conversations and interactions you had throughout the Summit with students, faculty , and administrators. You have sparked an important dialogue here that will continue well into the future.”

~Jonathan R. Alger, President, James Madison University

“When you gave that inspirational keynote address to our deans, vice presidents, and senior faculty, your talk sent more reverberations through our community than any speaker we’d ever had. You spoke from the heart, but also with such a depth and breadth of research data and sophisticated analysis at your finger tips, gently prodding us all to do better and better.”

~ Edward M. Hundert, M.D., President, Case Western Reserve University, 2002-2006

“Riane Eisler spoke to the hearts and the heads of the top women at Microsoft. She was compelling not only in her compassion and humanity but even more so with her strong logic and sense of urgency. She is a wonderful, inspiring speaker!”

~ Alex Loeb, Former Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Corporation

“Thank you so much for participating in our 2012 Summit of Sages at the University of Minnesota, and providing such an inspiring ending keynote. You really galvanized the room and people are ready to carry the message of partnership forward.”

~ Joanne Disch, PhD, RN, FAAN

Clinical Professor

University of Minnesota School of Nursing

“A year ago, in San Jose, when you keynoted the International Coaching Federation Conference you changed my life. Thank you ever so much, you made a profound change for me. Two things brought this about. Your storyteller technique is warm, personal, poignant and far reaching. I later decided to go into storytelling and I am still working at that, in your style. Your powerful message about the ideas and visions about the future for a partnership modeled world met my own thoughts about our presence in our world today.”

~ Dennis Jorst, President, ICF Nordic

“Wow! What a day! What a conference! And what a speech! Of the many, many people we’ve spoken to, they all consider your words among the most amazing and inspirational. We simply can’t thank you enough. We’re so grateful that you could share your unique knowledge with us.”

~ Bonnie Reiss, Executive Director, Earth Communications Office (ECO)

“I’m writing on behalf of all the participants in our Executives Leading Sustainable Change program to thank you for your inspiring and provocative presentation…Your vast knowledge of the history of humanity coupled with a deep conviction and guidance on what is needed in today’s corporations to bring about real social change left a deep impact on all of us. You provided us with a new context for thinking about how one person can make a difference and together we can change the world.”

~ Rayona Sharpnack, President, Institute for Women’s Leadership

Thank you once again for the wonderful presentation that you made at our Symposium series …You had a very diverse audience and you somehow managed to say something which was meaningful to just about everyone. I especially appreciated your informal but well organized approach to a very difficult and complex topic.”

~ Professor Alexander W. Astin, Director, Higher Education Research Institute, Graduate School of Education, University of California, Los Angeles

“I greatly enjoyed your magnificent presentation at the General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association… The need for mutual understanding among different faith traditions is particularly great in these times when religious intolerance is blossoming.”

~ Reverend Rudi Gelsey

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for your contributions to Stentor’s Discovery Project. Through your work with us we were able to apply a significant number of learnings related to creativity, processes for innovation, new business opportunities, and corporate transformation.Your systems view of the world and Partnership Model were particularly helpful in establishing processes for innovation. Your willingness to take on and help with this challenging project, your determination to succeed, and creative contributions have all been exceptional Thank you again for your outstanding efforts on the Discovery Project.”

~ Wendy Weisner, Manager New Business Opportunities,  Stentor Resources Centre Incorporated Ottawa, Ontario

“Thank you so much for the powerful Opening Keynote Address you presented at The International Alliance for Women (TIAW) Global Partnership Forum in the Rotunda room of the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington DC…You captured the audience instantly with your expressive style, sincerity, and warmth. I felt privileged to be in attendance.”

~ Laddie W. Hughes, TIAW Board Member

“Your work is truly inspiring. Our students are still discussing your ideas and applying them to their coursework. You are a truly remarkable person — filled with kindness and compassion. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us.”

~ Jenny Pinter, Bainbridge Graduate Institute

“When the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) held their Millennium Economic Conference, Riane Eisler’s keynote was electrifying, informational and sensitive to the needs of women and society. She was given a dynamic standing ovation and continues to be talked about by the women who were present. If you are looking for a keynote speaker who emotionally connects with the audience while delivering thought-provoking futuristic content, Riane Eisler is your person. She is truly a thought leader for the 21st century and her new book entitled, The Real Wealth of Nations: Creating a Caring Economics lays out the framework for the revolution. I believe Riane is a voice for our time, a voice that needs to be heard, a voice that points the way to a partnership future.”

~ Barbara G. Stanbridge, Past National President, National Association of Women Business Owners

Educator and noted designer Lauralee Alben used Riane Eisler as a case study for her workshop “Designing Lives Worth Living.”