Our species is uniquely and remarkably attuned to our social position because many years ago we relied on each other for safety, research now reveals that social rejection activates the same regions of the brain that are known to respond to physical pain, and also expresses dormant DNA to prepare our bodies for imminent injury. Unfortunately, this response is no longer necessary, so the expression of these genes leaves us more vulnerable to viral infections and more likely to suffer from inflammation-related illnesses.

Mitch Prinstein

Mitchell J. Prinstein is an author and former psychology professor. He is the former Director of Clinical Psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the John Van Seters Distinguished Professor of Psychology. He is a Fellow of both the American Psychological Association and the Association for Psychological Science.Prinstein currently serves as the John Van Seters Distinguished Professor and Assistant Dean of Honors Carolina, UNC's Honors program.Prinstein has authored or edited multiple volumes of psychological research, professional development training, an encyclopedia series in adolescent development, and an undergraduate textbook in clinical psychology. He is the author of Popular: Finding Happiness and Success in a World That Cares Too Much About the Wrong Kinds of Relationships, a book describing the role of popularity in society.Prinstein serves on the 2020 board of directors for the American Psychological Association (APA).

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