The Science of Consequences

Actions have consequences, and the ability to learn from them revolutionized life on Earth. While it’s pretty obvious that consequences are important (where would we be without positive reinforcement?), few know that there is a science of consequences with principles that affect us every day. Despite their variety, consequences appear to follow a common set of scientific principles and share some common effects on the brain—for example, in the so-called “pleasure centers.” The gene-environment system always operates in an integrated fashion, and scientists have shown that learning from consequences predictably activates genes and restructures our brains. The possible applications of this science of consequences are everywhere—in the home, at work, and in school, to name a few. On an individual and societal level, for example, self-control often deals with short-term versus long-term consequences. After ten years of work, “The Science of Consequences” tells a story that spans from genetics to neurotransmitters, from emotion to language, from early childhood education to politics—taking an inclusive interdisciplinary approach to show how something so seemingly simple can help make sense of so many things. This title has garnered many accolades from recognized experts in genetics, neuroscience, and economics, as well as in psychology, behavior analysis, and animal training in outlets such as Nature, The Scientist, and Science News.