E103: Remembering Sweetness: Happiness in a Time of Plague w/ Andy Thomson, M.D.

Recovering From Religion

Trigger warning: Images of Self Harm are in the presentation

Regular RfRx guest Dr. Andy Thomson, M.D. will summarize key findings from the psychological science research into happiness and well-being, and how it all connects to our evolutionary history. Additionally, the presentation will discuss a useful model known as the “AAA battery”: Agency, Attachment, and Altruism.

Dr Andy Thomson is a psychiatrist at University of Virginia Student Health Services. The 9/11 attacks triggered an interest in suicide terrorism, which led to the discovery of an unappreciated world of research into how and why human minds generate religious beliefs. Andy has written “Why We Believe In God(s): A Concise Guide to the Science of Faith” which brings that world to anyone interested.

Hosted by Eric Wells, the RfR Support Group Director and Sherrie D’Souza, RfR Support Group Leader & Board Member

Recorded on September 6, 2021

Resource List

- “Becoming Attached” by Robert Karen

- “My Promised Land: The Triumph and Tragedy of Israel” by Ari Shavit

- “Can you connect with me now? How the presence of mobile communication technology influences face-to-face conversation quality” by Andrew K. Przybylski, Netta Weinstein

- “The evolutionary psychology of healing: A human success story” by Nicholas Humphrey:

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