Our instincts - for food, sex or territorial protection evolved for life on the savannahs 10,000 years ago, not in today's world of densely populated cities, technological innovations and pollution. We now have access to a glut of larger-than-life objects - from confectionery to pornography to atomic weapons - that gratify these gut instincts with often dangerous results. Animal biologists coined the term 'supernormal stimuli' to describe imitations that appeal to primitive instincts and exert a stronger pull than real things. Evolutionary psychologist Deirdre Barrett applies this concept to the alarming disconnect between human instinct and our created environment, demonstrating how supernormal stimuli are a major cause of today's most pressing problems, including obesity and war. However, Barrett does more than show how unfettered instincts fuel dangerous excesses. She also reminds us that by exercising self-control we can rein them in, potentially saving ourselves and civilisation.

黛笛兒．芭瑞特 Deirdre Barrett

哈佛醫學院的演化心理學傢，參與行為醫學計畫的研究。研究專長為夢、催眠、意象，以及演化心理學。演化心理學是從演化角度探討人類行為的模式。她曾在〈早安美國〉〈今日秀〉、CNN、福斯新聞、探索頻道的節目介紹心理學議題，也曾受訪在《華盛頓郵報》《紐約時報》《生活》《時代》《商業週刊》談夢境的研究。著有《腰圍地帶》（Waistland）和《創傷與夢》（Trauma and Dreams）等書。