dc.description.abstract | This paper argues that diverse disciplines within the human sciences have converged in
identifying the conditions that human beings need to thrive and the programs, policies, and
practices that are needed to foster well-being. In the interest of promoting this view, we suggest
that this convergence might usefully be labeled “The Nurture Consilience.” We review evidence
from evolutionary biology, developmental, clinical, and social psychology, as well as public
health and prevention science indicating that, for evolutionary reasons, coercive environments
promote a “fast” life strategy that favors limited self-regulation, immediate gratification, and
early childbearing. However, this trajectory can be prevented through programs, practices, and
policies that (a) minimize toxic social and biological conditions, (b) limit opportunities and
influences for problem behavior, (c) richly reinforce prosocial behavior, and (d) promote
psychological flexibility. The recognition of these facts has prompted research on the adoption,
implementation, and maintenance of evidence-based interventions. To fully realize the fruits of
this consilience, it is necessary to reform every sector of society. We review evidence that free
market advocacy has promoted the view that if individuals simply pursue their own economic
well-being it will benefit everyone, and trace how that view led business, health care, education,
criminal justice, and government to adopt practices that have benefited a small segment of the
population but harmed the majority. We argue that the first step in reforming each sector of
society would be to promote the value of ensuring everyone’s well-being. The second step will
be to create contingencies that select beneficial practices and minimizes harmful ones | en |