The Power of Female Friendship: How Your Circle of Friends Shapes Your Life

by Paul Dobransky, L. Stamford, L.A. Stamford, et al.

Book Overview

A compassionate, practical, and science-based guide to finding friends for life Psychiatrist Paul Dobransky, author of "The Secret Psychology of How We Fall in Love," once again looks to the brain, this time to examine the full range of female friendships. A recent study has shown that women have fewer friends than they used to. In the years after college and before children (and even after that), many women find that they have fewer friends, and...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0452289432
• ISBN13: 9780452289437
• Release Date: May 2008
• Publisher: Plume Books
• Length: 266 Pages
• Weight: 0.57 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.3" x 8.0"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

An Evolutionary Approach, Unlocks the Female Code

Dr. Paul's book gives the keys to female friendship. At the core of his work is description of the evolution of the brain from the Triune Brain Theory. Throughout his book he shows how the three brains play a significant role in friendship. The most ancient aspect of the brain is the brainstem, (the reptilian brain). This is the center of gender related instincts and is an area where men and women are profoundly different. The midbrain (the mamalian brain) is the center of our emotions, the core of friendship, and the cortex (the higher brain) is the center of our character. On this he cites, "Character is Destiny." You win when your character has victory in guiding your decisions. Knowing this infomation gives us, as Dr. Paul says, a "Cool Eye." This is the observing eye that knows the optimal path for ourselves so we can make wise decisions. Dr. Paul has created an "Operating System" to describe how the brain works in friendship to create higher levels of happiness and success. The book is fascinating. He integrates complex concepts in an easy to understand format and has many examples and stories to illustrate his points. If you want powerful knowledge to to enhance your female friendships, this book is a must. Even more interesting, is the position he has taken by writing the book. From an evolutionary perspective, my "Cool Eye" says he is a valueable player. Stop and think. It takes courage for a man to step forth and write a book on the power of female friendship. It creates a path for victories of consciousness in the bigger evolutionary game. Moreover, it is done so each of us can contribute-- one moment at a time, right where we are, in our own back yard. It happens with the significant people in our life. Here is is how I see it. The reptilian brain - When it comes to stress, men and women have different reaction patterns. Men fight and flight, women tend and befriend. By stepping forth and writing the book he shows how the reptilian brain can be used to promote the next step. We as women need the higher conscious male protection so as to have a safe place to bond as sisters. Otherwise, the lower conscious hurt men would stifle it. Remember, in the middle ages, millions of forward thinking women died in the inquisition. By stepping forward, he is also inspiring other men to use their protective qualities to provide a safe haven for women to develop and express themselves. This is an equalitarian, partnership approach. He recognizes the mammalian brain by giving us details on the critical importance of sustained, consistent positive emotion for building friendship. Positive emotion has a broadening and building effect. It allows us to bring forth more of our resources and work together creatively and cooperatively to win the bigger game. Finally, in discussing the higher brain, he did not miss a beat. He focused on the importance of the higher brain in promoting character. One of the core principles of his book i

Consistent, mutual, shared positive emotional energy is where it's at.

The lessons that Dr. Dobransky teaches in this book are priceless. He demonstrates a concise, scientific system which can be implemented by anybody, that will undoubtedly lead to a higher level of happiness and durable fulfillment in life. This book is a must read for serious students of the truth regarding the science of friendship.

Powerful knowledge

Women often spend hours puzzling over relationships with men. I have a feeling that many women will find all their relationships strengthened after reading this book about female friendship. It defines the effect of friendship in simple terms: positive emotion. It also discusses the range of negative emotions that afflict relationships and provides simple guidance for deciding how to handle those tricky emotions that often upend relationships, leaving us wondering what happened. I feel better equipped to handle all relationships after reading this book because it shows me how my supportive friendships with women provide a foundation and attitude for building trust with men, too.

This is the best book ever to help unlock the female code

Once you pick this book up you won't want to put it down. I have read it once and I am just starting to go though it a second time. I can't wait for the next book. If you are wanting to learn more about yourself and other, do yourself a favor and read this one. The pictures really made the information more meaning full.

This book has been SO helpful!

After reading this book, I had such a greater understanding of all of the female relationships in my life! I have worked to improve the type of friend I am to people, and also understood why my friends act in certain ways. Once again, Dr. Paul has encouraged me to take hold of a very important area of my life and make it the best that it can be! Thank you so much!