The Better Angels of Our Nature
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Questions and Answers

Which theory proposes that government pacifies quarrels between subjects to preserve its own interests?

  • The Humanitarian Revolution
  • The Cultural Shift Theory
  • The Pacification Process (correct)
  • The Civilizing Process

What is a primary result of urbanization according to the Civilizing Process?

  • Decreased opportunity for commerce
  • Discouragement of violence through close living conditions (correct)
  • Increased violence due to lawlessness
  • Complete elimination of governmental authority

The decline of violence in recent history can be attributed to which of the following?

  • A return to tribal societies
  • Global urbanization and commerce (correct)
  • An increase in warfare
  • Stronger military interventions

Which term describes the shift from viewing torture as a public spectacle to developing empathy for human life?

<p>The Humanitarian Revolution (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Pinker argue about the attitudes toward violence in past societies?

<p>They largely embraced torture as entertainment. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which historical context showcases a region where violent norms persisted due to limited urbanization?

<p>The American South (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon is described as a transition that took place in the 18th and 19th centuries involving reductions in things like torture and slavery?

<p>The Humanitarian Revolution (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Pinker, what has been the effect of a complex society on violence?

<p>It leads to fewer deaths due to violent conflicts. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the most powerful examples of the increasing nonviolence in the world?

<p>Concern for animal welfare (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do people typically perceive their own actions compared to others' actions towards them?

<p>As accidental and minimally hurtful (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which motivation for violence is characterized by the absence of inhibiting factors?

<p>Predatory violence (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do open and democratic societies play in relation to violence and ideology?

<p>They serve to prevent negative or violent ideologies from taking hold. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered one of Pinker's 'inner demons' that drive violence?

<p>Empathy (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What emotional motivation is said to foster the development of sadistic tendencies over time?

<p>Engagement in violence (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What provocative claim does Pinker make about the world's perception of morality?

<p>Morality can sometimes encourage violent responses. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What term describes acts of violence that stem from a desire for self-help justice in an absence of authority?

<p>Dominance violence (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the right hemisphere of the brain primarily facilitate according to the discussed perspectives?

<p>Exploration of multiple possible solutions (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the left hemisphere contribute to decision-making compared to the right hemisphere?

<p>It adheres to established knowledge and preferred solutions. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon is triggered in the right hemisphere by new stimuli?

<p>Release of noradrenaline (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What ideologies are implied by the functions of both brain hemispheres?

<p>The left hemisphere excels at analytical and complex task integration. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did Freud believe about the brain's influence on experience?

<p>It shapes our entire experience of life. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does constraint-induced movement therapy aim to accomplish for stroke patients?

<p>To prevent the patient from using their good hand. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the principles underlying Taub’s therapy regimens?

<p>Training should target all areas of motor control equally. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Doidge suggest improving education and abilities in children with disabilities?

<p>By providing individualized plans targeting their weak areas. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of autism is suggested to relate to hypersensitivity in children?

<p>Overactive neural networks. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which program is indicated to have helped with both language and autistic symptoms?

<p>Fast ForWord programme. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do novels play in the development of empathy among individuals?

<p>They push people into empathy by allowing them to connect with others' experiences. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does Pinker suggest is a primary factor in the reduction of violence in recent history?

<p>Intellectual reasoning leading to moral discoveries. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the 'Long Peace' concept presented by Pinker?

<p>The absence of significant international wars since WWII. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Pinker, why is terrorism considered a special case in discussions of violence?

<p>The public often greatly overestimates the danger it poses. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is identified as a significant reason for the reduction of civil wars and genocides?

<p>The spread of democracy and its impact on governance. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of the Rights Revolutions contributed to a decrease in violence against marginalized groups?

<p>The inclusion of minority viewpoints in public discourse. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of government is most likely to experience civil wars, according to Pinker?

<p>Anocracies with dysfunctional governance. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What shift in perspective is highlighted as contributing to the overall decline in interpersonal violence?

<p>An increase in humanitarian reasoning and moral arguments. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of Romanticism is reflected in the landscape paintings of artists like Claude Lorrain?

<p>An expression of human perspectives on the world (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does modern art exemplify issues associated with left hemisphere functions?

<p>It often loses connection with linguistic meaning (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the Theory of Mind concept refer to in early socialization?

<p>Understanding that others can have different emotions (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What evidence supports early emotional communication in infants?

<p>Infants respond to adult emotional expressions at an early age (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What general concern is raised in the text regarding modern views on language?

<p>They focus too heavily on the formal structure of language. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What developmental milestone is debated concerning infants and emotional awareness?

<p>If newborns can discern emotional reactions clearly (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one implication of observed emotional responses in infants?

<p>It may help in early diagnosis of neurodevelopmental conditions. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What mental health issue has been associated with left hemisphere deficits according to the content?

<p>A rise in schizophrenia diagnoses (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which brain area is known for its association with pain appreciation in both oneself and others?

<p>Right anterior cingulate cortex (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Empathic attention is unaffected in individuals with autism.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of mirror neurons in empathizing with others?

<p>They help us understand another's intentions and assist in imitating actions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The right hemisphere of the brain helps interpret ______, increasing emotional attunement.

<p>faces</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concepts with their related features:

<p>Theory of Mind = Understanding others' emotions and beliefs Prosopagnosia = Inability to recognize faces Right hemisphere lesions = Impairments in empathy Mirror neurons = Facilitating imitation and understanding intentions</p> Signup and view all the answers

At what age is Theory of Mind typically acquired?

<p>4 years (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What describes the process through which urbanized societies discourage violence?

<p>The Civilizing Process (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Humanitarian Revolution refers to the increasing acceptance of torture as a public entertainment.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The development of empathic skills depends primarily on language acquisition.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one major change regarding attitudes towards violence that has occurred over time?

<p>People are now repulsed by acts such as rape and enslavement that were once accepted.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the right hemisphere support empathic ability in infants?

<p>It is attuned to emotionally expressive facial signals from caregivers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Thomas Hobbes, a government pacifies quarrels between its subjects to preserve its own _____ .

<p>interests</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following concepts with their descriptions:

<p>Pacification Process = Government intervention in disputes Civilizing Process = Impact of urbanization on behavior Humanitarian Revolution = Shift toward valuing human life Cultural Attitudes = Changing perceptions of accepted violence</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which region has historically exhibited a higher level of violence due to cultural factors?

<p>The American South (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Urban societies tend to have more incentives for individuals to engage in violence.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant decline occurred in the 18th and 19th centuries regarding human rights?

<p>Declines in torture, human sacrifice, and slavery</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the main focus of Romanticism in the 19th century?

<p>Celebrating human emotion and nature (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Modern art effectively captures linguistic meaning.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the Theory of Mind?

<p>The understanding that others have separate mental states and see the world differently.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Early emotional communication in infants may be crucial for early diagnosis of __________.

<p>autism</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following artistic movements with their characteristics:

<p>Romanticism = Focus on emotion and nature Modern Art = Alienation from linguistic meaning Postmodernism = Formal structure of language Pointillism = Fragmentation in visual perception</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of landscape paintings from the Romantic period?

<p>Depiction of human perspectives in depth (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Newborn infants can clearly see emotional expressions from a distance.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What mental health issue has seen an increase that suggests severe right hemisphere deficits?

<p>schizophrenia</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is neuroplasticity?

<p>The brain's ability to grow and reorganize itself (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Myelination contributes to less efficient electrical signal transmission in the brain.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens during the critical period in infancy?

<p>The brain develops connections at a rapid rate and absorbs immense amounts of information.</p> Signup and view all the answers

___ refers to the change in neural circuits due to environmental factors, which can affect autism.

<p>Neuroplasticity</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does myelin play in the brain?

<p>It insulates neural pathways for efficient signal transmission (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following researchers or theories with their contributions:

<p>Norman Doidge = The Brain That Changes Itself Hubel and Wiesel = Studies of critical periods in vision Merzenich = Genetic predisposition and environmental factors affecting autism Myelination = Insulation of neuron pathways for efficient signaling</p> Signup and view all the answers

Once the critical period is passed, the brain remains unchanged for life.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can symptoms of autism be potentially reduced during the critical period?

<p>Through interventions and environmental adjustments that support neural circuit development.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary feature of the 'asocial stage' of attachment development?

<p>Infants produce similar responses to all objects. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Indiscriminate attachments refer to infants showing anxiety towards strangers.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

At what age do infants typically show signs of specific attachments?

<p>7 months</p> Signup and view all the answers

Genie's recovery was hindered by an unsettled time with a variety of ______ who abused her further.

<p>carers</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following stages of attachment with their characteristics:

<p>Asocial stage = Infants respond similarly to all objects Indiscriminate attachments = Preference for human company, easily comforted by anyone Specific attachments = Show protest when a specific person puts them down Multiple attachments = Development of attachments beyond the main caregiver</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant concern arises if a child has not formed attachments by 1 year old?

<p>They may be showing signs of autism. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The theory of attachment development suggests a fixed timeline for all infants.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What emotional feature was notably absent in Genie's behavior due to her isolation?

<p>Disinterest in other people</p> Signup and view all the answers

From the age of 2 to 7 months, infants show ______ attachments by distinguishing between familiar and unfamiliar people.

<p>indiscriminate</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the evidence suggest about Genie in relation to autism?

<p>Her abusive upbringing caused her autistic-like behaviors. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one primary function of BDNF?

<p>It promotes myelin growth to speed transmission. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

BDNF is released only during moments of high stress.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What connection does Merzenich propose between BDNF and autism?

<p>He believes that premature release of BDNF can lead to undifferentiated brain maps, resulting in pervasive developmental disorders.</p> Signup and view all the answers

BDNF closes the __________ after all connections are made.

<p>critical period</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of exercises does the Fast ForWord Program utilize?

<p>Brain exercises related to language functions (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms related to BDNF and neuroplasticity with their correct descriptions:

<p>BDNF = Growth factor that consolidates neuron connections Critical Period = Timeframe during which neural connections are established Fast ForWord = Program to aid language-impaired children Neuroplasticity = Ability of the brain to reorganize itself</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Fast ForWord Program offers incentives to encourage engagement in learning activities.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What part of the brain do individuals with speaking, reading, and writing issues often need to strengthen?

<p>premotor cortex</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Decreasing violence

Violence in the world has been decreasing over time, contrary to popular belief.

Pacification Process

Governments create peace to protect their power by reducing violence between their citizens.

Civilizing Process

Urbanization and commerce lead to safer norms and less violence due to close proximity and mutual support.

Humanitarian Revolution

A change in values, from torture and violent practices to valuing human life and empathy.

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State violence

Violence committed by a government.

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Thomas Hobbes

A philosopher who theorized about how government creates peace to protect itself.

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Urbanization

Growth of cities.

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Changing cultural values

Cultural shifts in how societies perceive and react to violence.

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Empathy Increase

Increased ability to understand and share the feelings of others, often from factors like education and Enlightenment Humanism.

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Long Peace

A period of reduced international wars since World War II.

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Nuclear Deterrence

The theory that the threat of retaliation with nuclear weapons prevents large-scale wars.

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Spread of Democracy

A potential factor in reducing international conflicts, as democracies are believed to be less prone to war with one another.

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Anocracy

A government that is neither fully democratic nor fully authoritarian.

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Rights Revolutions

Historical movements promoting the rights of various groups (women, African Americans, etc.).

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Terrorism

A form of violence characterized by unpredictable targeting and low death tolls.

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Left Hemisphere (LH) Focus

The left hemisphere focuses on a single solution that fits existing knowledge and quickly latches onto it. It prioritizes logic and analysis.

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Right Hemisphere (RH) Focus

The right hemisphere explores multiple possibilities and keeps them open for consideration. It prefers creativity and intuitive understanding.

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Noradrenaline's Role

Noradrenaline is released in the right hemisphere when new stimuli arise, allowing it to remain in a state of alertness and exploration.

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LH Limitations

The LH is limited in its ability to rapidly synthesize complex information, making it less adept at handling new or unpredictable situations compared to the RH.

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Opposed Realities

Different brain hemispheres perceive reality differently, leading to two contrasting viewpoints.

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Empathy's role in violence

Moral arguments and empathy contribute to decreased violent behavior. The increasing concern for animal welfare, even without reciprocity, demonstrates growing empathy.

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Perceptions of Violence

People often view their own actions as unintentional or less harmful but perceive others' actions as intentional and deeply damaging, fueling cycles of violence.

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Motivations for Violence

Violence stems from various reasons, including predation, dominance, revenge, sadism, and ideology.

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Predatory Violence

Violence driven by a lack of inhibitions, where rational reasons for nonviolence haven't taken effect.

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Violence and Dominance

Violence can be driven by a desire for control or social status.

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Sadism as a Motivation

Sadism is a motivation for violence where individuals derive pleasure from inflicting suffering.

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Ideological Violence

Violence driven by large-scale beliefs or political ideas.

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Moral Overreach

Excessive morality can lead to violence if the moral framework pushes for retribution or punishment.

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Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy

A therapeutic approach to regaining motor control after a stroke. It involves restricting the use of the unaffected hand, forcing the patient to rely on the affected hand, leading to brain rewiring and recovery.

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Hypersensitivity in Autism

A potential symptom of autism characterized by heightened sensory experiences due to potentially overactive neural networks. This may explain why some autistic individuals experience epilepsy.

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Fast ForWord Program

A language intervention program designed to address language difficulties. It has been shown to improve language symptoms in children with autism, potentially impacting related symptoms like social interaction and attention.

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Massed Practice

A learning technique that involves short, highly concentrated periods of training. This approach, used in Taub's therapy, has shown greater effectiveness than spread-out training sessions.

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Rewiring the Brain

The ability of the brain to reorganize itself and create new connections in response to experience. This occurs in constraint-induced movement therapy, where the brain adapts to the forced use of the affected hand.

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Romanticism (RH)

A 19th-century European movement emphasizing emotion, imagination, and individual expression, often reflected in art and literature.

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RH in art

Romanticism in art often involved detailed landscapes showcasing depth and perspective, difficult to grasp using the left hemisphere.

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RH in literature

Romanticism in literature often shows melancholy and longing, reflecting a focus on feelings and personal experiences.

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Modern Art (LH)

Modern art often struggles to express meaning, focusing on form and technique rather than conveying a clear message. This reflects the left hemisphere's dominance in analyzing details and structure.

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Postmodernism (LH)

Postmodernism focuses on language structures and formal systems, often neglecting the meaning behind words, highlighting the left hemisphere's focus on logic and analysis.

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Theory of Mind

The ability to understand that others have different thoughts, feelings, and perspectives from our own.

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Early Socialisation

The process of learning social norms and skills, especially during infancy and childhood, which is crucial for developing Theory of Mind.

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Infants and Emotion

Infants can both express emotions and recognize emotions in others, suggesting that they may have an early form of Theory of Mind.

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Right Hemisphere & Emotion

The right hemisphere is primarily responsible for processing emotions, empathy, and understanding other minds.

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Empathy's Brain Regions

Specific areas in the right hemisphere like the anterior cingulate cortex, inferior parietal lobe, lateral prefrontal cortex, and insula cortex are involved in experiencing and understanding empathy.

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Mirror Neurons & Empathy

Mirror neurons are specialized brain cells that activate both when we perform an action and when we observe someone else doing it. They play a key role in understanding others' intentions and emotions.

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Empathy & Autism

Individuals with autism often struggle with empathy, which could be linked to reduced activity in areas like the right pars opercularis, which is responsible for imitating facial expressions.

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Right Hemisphere & Facial Recognition

The right hemisphere plays a crucial role in interpreting facial expressions. Damage to the right hemisphere can lead to difficulties in recognizing emotions in faces.

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Theory of Mind (ToM)

Theory of Mind is the ability to understand that others have different thoughts, feelings, and perspectives from our own.

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Early ToM Development

ToM is said to develop around age 4, and the right hemisphere is critical in infants' early understanding of emotions.

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ToM and Language

While language helps develop ToM, it's not a prerequisite. People who lose language still have intact ToM, suggesting it's a more fundamental ability.

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American South and Violence

The American South represents a historical example where the civilizing process was incomplete, resulting in higher levels of violence. This is attributed to a culture that didn't emphasize self-control and lacked strong urbanization.

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Hobbes's Pacification Theory

Philosopher Thomas Hobbes proposed that governments maintain peace to protect their own interests by preventing violence between their subjects.

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Violence Reduction: Factors

Several factors contribute to the reduction of violence over time, including the Pacification Process, the Civilizing Process, and the Humanitarian Revolution.

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Why Violence Decreases

Violence decreases as societies adopt a stronger rule of law, urbanize and create a more interconnected economy, and develop greater empathy for others.

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Romanticism

An artistic and intellectual movement emphasizing emotions, imagination, and individual expression. Popular in Europe during the 19th century.

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Left Hemisphere (LH)

The left hemisphere of the brain primarily focuses on logic, analysis, and language structure. It's often associated with a linear, analytical way of thinking.

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Right Hemisphere (RH)

The right hemisphere is associated with creativity, intuition, and holistic thinking. It's good at recognizing patterns and understanding emotions.

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Modern Art and the LH

Modern art often struggles to express meaning clearly, reflecting the LH's focus on form and analysis. Think of abstract art that's difficult to decipher.

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Postmodernism and the LH

Postmodernism emphasizes the formal structure of language over its meaning, reflecting the LH's analytical approach. It focuses on the 'how' of language, not the 'what'.

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Neuroplasticity

The brain's ability to change and reorganize itself in response to experiences and stimuli.

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Myelination

The process of forming a fatty sheath around nerve fibers, which improves the speed and efficiency of electrical signals.

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Critical Period

A specific window of time in early development when the brain is highly sensitive to environmental influences and experiences.

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Critical Period & Autism

Merzenich hypothesizes that environmental factors during the critical period may influence brain development, potentially leading to autism.

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Early Intervention for Autism

Merzenich suggests that intervening during the critical period might help reduce autism symptoms by promoting brain plasticity.

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Brain Maps & Critical Period

The critical period is when brain maps are actively forming, and disruptions during this time can affect their development.

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Hubel & Wiesel's Kitten Study

This study demonstrated the importance of the critical period, showing that sewing shut one eye of a kitten during this time permanently impaired its visual development.

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Brain Plasticity & Age

The brain's ability to change is not limited to childhood but can persist throughout life, though it's more challenging to induce significant rewiring in adulthood.

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BDNF

A growth factor released by neurons that strengthens connections between them, promotes myelin growth, and helps us focus.

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How does BDNF affect the Critical Period?

BDNF plays a key role in closing the critical period after all necessary connections are made. It ensures that the brain is ready for new challenges and can then start to specialize.

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What is Neuroplasticity?

The brain's ability to change and adapt its structure and function in response to experience. It means the brain can learn new things and recover from injuries.

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How does Neuroplasticity relate to learning disabilities?

Neuroplasticity suggests that we can potentially 'cure' learning disabilities by training specific brain areas. By understanding the areas affected, we can create exercises to strengthen them.

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How does reward impact brain development?

Rewarding correct answers during brain exercises releases neurotransmitters like dopamine, which helps to consolidate the newly formed neural connections and improve learning.

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How does the premotor cortex affect language?

The premotor cortex plays a role in language skills like speaking, reading, and writing. Exercises that strengthen this area can be helpful for individuals with language difficulties.

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Asocial Stage

The first month of life where infants show limited social responses and react similarly to objects and people. They are not yet able to distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar individuals.

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Indiscriminate Attachments

From 2-7 months, infants start to prefer human company but are easily comforted by anyone. They haven't yet developed specific attachments.

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Specific Attachments

Around 7 months, infants show separation protest when a specific person leaves and joy when they return. They display stranger anxiety.

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Multiple Attachments

After forming a main attachment, infants develop bonds with others (like siblings) who play a consistent role in their life.

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Genie's Case

A case of a child raised in isolation who exhibited severe developmental delays and social deficits.

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Autism Feature in Genie

Genie showed disinterest in people, treating them like objects, similar to a feature sometimes seen in autism.

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Stage Theories and Development

Stage theories of attachment development can be inaccurate as development is fluid. They are helpful in identifying abnormal development but should not be seen as rigid guidelines.

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Importance of Early Attachment

A child's failure to form attachments by 1 year old is a cause for concern, indicating potential developmental issues.

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Genie's Recovery

Genie's recovery was hampered by abuse and lack of consistent care, highlighting the importance of a secure environment for healthy development.

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Nature vs. Nurture in Genie's Case

Genie's case raises the question of whether her social deficits were caused by isolation (nurture) or a pre-existing condition like autism (nature).

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Study Notes

Steven Pinker: The Better Angels of Our Nature

  • Violence in the world has decreased over time, contrary to popular belief
  • Attitudes toward violence have changed; acts like rape and enslavement are now considered unacceptable
  • The pacification process involves government intervention to resolve disputes, reducing violence between citizens
  • The civilizing process, fostered by urbanization and commerce, discourages violence due to greater social interaction and exchange

The Civilizing Process

  • Societies with high levels of interaction tend to develop norms that discourage violence
  • Merchants benefit from peaceful relations with clients
  • Stable governments deter violence with law enforcement and the ability to offer incentives
  • Urbanization allows for easier imposition and enforcement of laws

Humanitarian Revolution

  • Torture, human sacrifice, religious persecution, and slavery have declined globally - especially in the 18th and 19th centuries
  • Enlightenment Humanism, emphasizing reason and empathy, contributed to this shift
  • Novels and literature likely played a role in this shift toward empathy
  • Education directly impacts levels of empathy

The Long Peace

  • The world has experienced an extended period of peace since WWII
  • Conventional wisdom suggests that wars are cyclical, but Pinker disputes this; he argues that events are unpredictable and wars are not related to smaller conflicts
  • Nuclear weapons act as a deterrent, and the spread of democracy contributes to peace

The New Peace

  • Other types of war (like civil or colonial wars) have also decreased, possibly due to the spread of democracy

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Book Summary: Better Angels of Our Nature (PDF)

Description

Explore Steven Pinker's arguments on how violence has decreased over time and the evolving attitudes toward it. The quiz covers concepts like the pacification process, the civilizing process, and the humanitarian revolution. Learn about how urbanization and stable governments contribute to this positive change in society.

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