#034 - What Makes a Soldier? What Breaks a Soldier? (Dr. Hector Garcia)

Summary: Dr. Hector Garcia joins us to discuss the evolutionary psychology of warfare, how the combat theater mirrors the environment of early humans, common causes of PTSD in a military context, and the evolutionary justifications for viewing PTSD as an adaptive survival strategy. We also explore what aspects of the military experience make it difficult for veterans to return to civilian life, what separates veterans who settle back into peacetime environments from those who don't, and in light of Hector’s TED talk, after training soldiers go to war, we ask how do we train them to come home again? *** BOOKS MENTIONED *** Alpha God: http://amzn.to/2iuaYRu The Better Angels of Our Nature: http://amzn.to/2xVg3Jk On Killing: http://amzn.to/2gpzWwZ The Selfish Gene: http://amzn.to/2gpZ4DI Tribe: http://amzn.to/2ipKNLu Sex and War: http://amzn.to/2ipZu14 Fields of Combat: http://amzn.to/2yGRAom Angst, Origins of Anxiety and Depression: http://amzn.to/2yzgBnG *** SHOW NOTES *** myownworstenemy.org/podcast *** SOCIAL MEDIA *** Facebook: facebook.com/myownworstenemyorg Twitter: twitter.com/dannydwhittaker *** CREDITS *** Theme Music: Falling Down by Ryan Little http://youtube.com/user/TheR4C2010 Podcast Image: The U.S Army (Spc. Breanne Pye) https://flic.kr/p/9fPCXN DISCLAIMER: My Own Worst Enemy is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk and affiliated sites.