Prosocial: Using Evolutionary Science to Build Productive, Equitable, and Collaborative Groups

A groundbreaking, comprehensive program for designing effective and socially equitable groups of all sizes—from businesses and social justice groups to global organizations.

Whether you work in business or schools, volunteer in neighborhoods or church organizations, or are involved in social justice and activism, you understand the enormous power of groups to enact powerful and lasting change in the world. But how exactly do you design, build, and sustain effective groups?

Based on the work of Nobel Prize winning economist Elinor Ostrom and grounded in contextual behavioral science, evolutionary science, and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), Prosocial presents a practical, step-by-step approach to help you energize and strengthen your business or organization. Using the Prosocial model, you’ll learn to design groups that are more harmonious, have better member or employee retention, have better relationships with other groups or business partners, and have more success and longevity.

Most importantly, you’ll learn to target the characteristics that foster cooperation and collaboration—key ingredients for any effective group.

Paul W.B. Atkins, PhD, is director of the Prosocial Institute, and senior research fellow with the Institute for Positive Psychology and Education at Australian Catholic University (ACU). His career has combined research and practice helping groups to thrive. His research has been published in the world’s leading management and psychology journals. As a facilitator and coach, he has helped thousands of managers and leaders to improve their team leadership, conflict resolution, situational awareness, and well-being.

David Sloan Wilson, PhD, is president of The Evolution Institute, and SUNY distinguished professor of biology and anthropology at Binghamton University. He applies evolutionary theory to all aspects of humanity, in addition to the biological world. His books include Darwin’s Cathedral, Evolution for Everyone, The Neighborhood Project, and Does Altruism Exist?

Steven C. Hayes, PhD, is Nevada Foundation Professor in the behavior analysis program in the department of psychology at the University of Nevada, Reno. His career has focused on analysis of the nature of human language and cognition, and its application to the understanding and alleviation of human suffering and promotion of human prosperity. Among other associations, Hayes has been president of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), and the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS). His work has received several awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from ABCT.

Foreword writer Richard M. Ryan, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and codeveloper of self-determination theory (SDT), an internationally recognized leading theory of human motivation. He is professor at the Institute for Positive Psychology and Education at ACU.