Status Games: Why We Play and How to Stop

Summary

In "Status Games: Why We Play and How to Stop," Loretta Graziano Breuning invites the reader on a fascinating journey through the labyrinths of the human psyche, where the pursuit of status proves to be an inseparable part of our nature. With the finesse of a researcher, the author reveals how ancient biological mechanisms embedded in the brain govern our actions, desires, and fears, compelling us to repeatedly enter the invisible game for recognition and superiority. Through the lens of scientific discoveries and vivid examples, Breuning shows how hormones—dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and cortisol—become the invisible conductors of our social interactions, pushing us to seek approval and power. At the same time, the author offers wise and practical strategies to break free from the endless cycle of status games, find inner freedom, and learn to build relationships based on respect and genuine self-sufficiency. This book is a subtle reflection on the nature of human ambition and a key to harmony with oneself and others.