Attention is the way social primates measure status. It is highly rewarding because it causes the release of brain chemicals such as dopamine and endorphins.

The information that is passed from person to person and from generation to generation is the primary factor that gives humans a competitive advantage over other animals.

Fighting hard to protect yourself and your relatives is good for your genes, but when captured and escape is not possible, giving up short of dying and making the best you can of the new situation is also good for your genes.

Anyone who has ever had the feeling of being higher than a kite after giving a public speech is well aware of the effects of attention.

Could people be trained to be less gullible? Or are you as stuck with gullibility as you are with skin colour?

Even small cults are a serious cost on the world economy, to victims, their families, employers, friends, and credit-card companies.

People can undergo a sudden change of thinking and loyalties under threat of death or intense social pressure and isolation from friends and family.