Clinical Sociobiology and the CIA

I thought you would appreciate knowing the following:

"Clinical Sociobiology" was summarized in a 6.5 hrs. presentation to the Mental Health Division, Office of Medical Services for the Central Intelligence Agency on 9/4/99. The audience of psychologists and psychiatrists seemed to be attentive and receptive. Indeed, I have never had more considerate treatment by an audience or contractor, they even bound several chapters of "Healing the Moral Animal: Lessons from Evolution and Complexity" as a class handout!

I surveyed:

1) Complicators and simplifiers: Complexity theory as a ledge for evolution, CT and psychological adaptations as a foundations for a revised diagnostics manual of emotional disorders. Self regulation as our steering between the extremes of chaotic and static niche conditions. Genes, memory, executive functions, family, peers, and culture as functionally similar to each other.

2) History and fundamentals of Darwinism. Key figures, ethology, population genetics, sociobiology, sexual and natural selection. Pervasive influence of displays in our culture. Niche saturation, extinction secondary to niche collapse. Introductions to receptor biases on displays, fears, and mating preferences. Psychological adaptations and psychopathology, adaptations a basis of common sense. Very brief introductions to reciprocity, deception, mating, and childrearing.

3) Executive functions --- our capacities for working memory, planning, affect regulation, and mental problem solving --- as a means to avoid constrained or stereotypic (and impulsive!) reactions.

4) Behavior genetics and active environment-genotype correlation ("active Darwinism") --- that we each build our personal "rat's nest" of memories, possessions, and relationships in accord with genetic influence. Every one of us is different from every other one of us, even down to fine neurological details. Genes and settings as an interactive creator and a foundation for a meaningful "free will." "Tuning" as a tool for self regulation and for therapeutic use. The asset of G.O.D. (generation of diversity) because Earth is NOT a stable environment. The folly of socially imposed eugenics even though every female pursues her own eugenics program.

It strikes me:

1) Evolution is wonderful ! We can discuss betrayal, sex, and aggression just as we already do in popular music, on television, and in movies. We can also tell animal stories and show baby pictures! Primates are evolved to follow exactly these topics and there are audiences waiting for all of us.

2) Don't scam the audience --- that is, let them know when we are telling a "story," that we all make up "stories" --- both to protect our own credibility and to alert them to existing "stories" in their respective disciplines.

3) Stay lively and fun.

Jim Brody

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