Primal Citizenship
Robb Schachter
Modern times, ancient behaviors
Neuroscience has shown us that many of the neural networks that are involved with survival needs and physical pain are the same networks that process aspects of social interactions. The neural networks shaping our interactions in modern society are much the same as those that governed our ancient forbear’s struggle for physical survival on the African savannah.
One of these survival mechanisms is a highly social orientation. Individuals had a much higher chance of survival as part of a group than alone. This led us to become hyper aware of social norms of the group and how to maintain our own place within it. Not meeting the expectations of the group could lead to being ostracized, which would seriously jeopardize one’s chances for survival.
While in ancient times not being accepted by the group threatened our physical survival, in modern times, non-physically threatening situations can still feel like an existential threat. When uncertainty and anxiety are high enough, differences in viewpoints can feel like a matter of survival. Through that lens, the deep divisions we are seeing in society these days are hardly surprising. An evolutionary mismatch exists between our neurophysiology and the pressures placed on us by the way in which we live today. This is at the heart of why we are seeing unprecedented levels of political and social engagement yet we have become less citizens of society as a whole and more citizens of whatever group(s) with which we identify.
Beyond Primal Thinking
While we cannot change brain structures evolved over millions of years, we can learn to no longer allow those structures to control us. We can move past our natural inclinations and differences by acknowledging and reflecting on how our shared neurobiology influences our world views and behaviors. At Beyond Primal, we believe that using neuroscience to understand the forces driving our thinking, in a nonjudgmental way, will help us to begin to have meaningful conversations about overcoming difficult challenges.
