Helen Fisher (anthropologist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Helen Fisher
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Fisher in 2014
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| Born | May 31, 1945 Manhattan, New York, U.S.
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| Died | August 17, 2024 (aged 79) Bronx, New York, U.S.
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| Alma mater | New York University (BA) University of Colorado Boulder (MA, PhD) |
| Spouse(s) |
John Tierney
(m. 2020) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Anthropology |
| Institutions | The Kinsey Institute |
Helen Elizabeth Fisher (May 31, 1945 – August 17, 2024) was an American anthropologist. She was a scientist who studied human behavior. Dr. Fisher was known for her research on love and relationships.
She worked at The Kinsey Institute at Indiana University. She was also part of the Center For Human Evolutionary Studies at Rutgers University. Before that, she worked at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
Dr. Fisher believed that understanding how humans choose partners was very important. She became a leading expert in the study of love. In 2005, she helped match.com create chemistry.com. This website used her ideas to help people find good matches. She was also a popular speaker at the TED conference in 2006 and 2008.
Helen Fisher appeared in a 2014 film called Sleepless in New York. She also appeared in a 2017 PBS Nova show about online dating.
Dr. Fisher passed away from cancer in The Bronx on August 17, 2024. She was 79 years old.
Contents
Education and Early Life
Helen Fisher studied at several universities. She earned her first degree, a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), in 1968. She studied Anthropology and Psychology at New York University.
Later, she continued her studies at the University of Colorado at Boulder. She earned a Master of Arts (M.A.) in 1972. Her studies included Physical Anthropology, Cultural Anthropology, Linguistics, and Archeology.
Finally, she received her Ph.D. (doctorate degree) in Physical Anthropology in 1975. This was also from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Understanding Love: Dr. Fisher's Research
Dr. Fisher spent many years studying romantic love. She wanted to understand why people fall in love. Her research looked at how our brains and bodies react when we feel strong romantic feelings.
How Love Makes Us Feel
In her 2004 book, Why We Love: The Nature and Chemistry of Romantic Love, Dr. Fisher explained the feelings of intense love. She said that when you fall in love, the person you like becomes very special. You start to focus only on them.
Even if you notice things you don't like, you tend to ignore them. Instead, you focus on everything you adore. Dr. Fisher noted that strong energy, happiness, and mood swings are common. People in love might also feel very dependent on their partner. They can feel anxious when separated.
Other signs include feeling possessive and having physical reactions. These can be a pounding heart or shortness of breath. But the most important part, she said, is obsessive thinking. It's like the person you love is always on your mind.
Brain Activity in Love
Dr. Fisher also used brain scans to study love. She looked at the brains of people who had just fallen deeply in love. Her 2004 book discussed some differences between male and female brains.
On average, men showed more activity in a brain area linked to seeing things. Women showed more activity in brain areas connected to remembering things. Dr. Fisher thought these differences came from how humans chose partners long ago.
In ancient times, a man might have looked for a healthy woman. This was to ensure she could have and raise children. But a woman couldn't tell if a man would be a good partner just by looking. She needed to remember his past actions and achievements. This helped her choose a good father for her children.
Love and Brain Chemistry
In 2006, Dr. Fisher's research was featured in National Geographic magazine. Her MRI scans showed that specific brain areas become active when people are in love. These areas are the ventral tegmental area and the caudate nucleus. This research helped explain love as a "chemical reaction" in the brain.
Advice for Lasting Love
Dr. Fisher gave advice on how to keep love strong over time. She suggested ways to use our brain's natural chemistry.
She said that couples should have regular physical contact. This helps increase oxytocin, a hormone linked to bonding. Doing new and exciting activities together can also help. This boosts dopamine, a chemical linked to pleasure and motivation.
Finally, saying kind things to your partner is important. This can help reduce stress and improve overall well-being. By doing these things, couples can help their romantic love last longer.
See also
- Keirsey Temperament Sorter
- Interpersonal attraction
- Matchmaking
- Myers–Briggs Type Indicator
- Michael Liebowitz, The Chemistry of Love
- Pepper Schwartz
- Neil Clark Warren
