Reviews (6)

Memoirs of a Neuro-Reductionist
Participation in novel endeavor produces cortisol and dopamine which physiologically alter the striatum which in turn leads to the penultimate of human life: "satisfaction."This in a nutshell is the extent of the scientific argument offered in this book.
The science of finding out how big Gregory Berns ego is
The title of this book is totally misleading.First of all Berns is no great writer.He inserts a lot of dialog that sounds faked.But the overall premise, that he's out looking for "True Fulfillment" is ridiculous; he is clearly not doing anything of the kind.What he is doing is repeating over and over and over his basic premise that novelty is what the brain requires. (This is because novelty stimulates the brain in particular ways that result in the release of dopamine, and this happens in a particular part of the brain called the striatum.)Then he goes on these long, boring investigations into the ways in which novelty is found in eating fine foods, sex, running, solving puzzles, etc.This book was BORING.The argument about novelty is not very convincing.He just does not justify the notion that the pursuit of novelty or novelty itself results in "true fulfillment."I mean, you can give all the examples of "novelty" you want, but if you haven't really bothered to show how fulfilling that is, do I care?True fulfillment?Hardly.

Satisfaction
Great reading!Dr. Burns make neruoscience understandable.I have a new prespective on how to achieve happiness. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Neuropsychology    3. Personal Growth - General    4. Physiological Psychology    5. Psychology    6. Satisfaction   

Subjects:  1. Developmental - General    2. Personality    3. Physiological Psychology    4. Psychology    5. Reference    6. Child & developmental psychology    7. Psychoanalysis & psychoanalytical theory    8. The self, ego, identity, personality   

Reviews (1)

A mixed bag of essays, some excellent
The 14 chapters of this book are loosely grouped within the general area of evolutionary psychology. They range from the pedestrian to the genuinely insightful. Here are some personal highlights.
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Subjects:  1. Developmental - General    2. Developmental psychology    3. Evolutionary psychology    4. Life Sciences - Evolution - Human    5. Physiological Psychology    6. Psychology    7. Child & developmental psychology    8. Psychology & Psychiatry / Physiological Psychology   

Subjects:  1. Auditory cortex    2. Cognitive Psychology    3. Life Sciences - Anatomy & Physiology    4. Medical    5. Neurophysiology    6. Neuroplasticity    7. Neuropsychology    8. Perception    9. Perceptual learning    10. Physiological Psychology    11. Psychology    12. Visual cortex    13. Medical / Neuroscience    14. Neurosciences    15. Physiological & neuro-psychology   

Reviews (1)

The mind appears in the body!
An incredible book! As a professional in the field of human potential, I found this book very useful to offer to clients. And they got excited andpassed the title along to their loved ones and friends. The understandingof the various forces (literal and figurative) that play on our physicalform is powerful. Must reading for those exploring the euphoria ofpossibilities! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Physiological Psychology    2. Psychology    3. Family & Health   

Subjects:  1. Biometry    2. Clinical neuropsychology    3. Cognitive Psychology    4. Methodology    5. Neuropsychological tests    6. Physiological Psychology    7. Psychology    8. Research    9. Statistical methods    10. Epidemiology & medical statistics    11. Neurology & clinical neurophysiology    12. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Reviews (1)

Essential information about the causes of male and female homosexuality
This is a review of all significant research into the causes of homosexuality, both male and female.
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Subjects:  1. Gay Studies    2. General    3. Homosexuality    4. Human Sexuality    5. Life Sciences - Biology - General    6. Physiological Psychology    7. Psychobiology    8. Psychology    9. Science    10. Social Science    11. Sociology    12. Gay & Lesbian studies    13. Sexual behaviour   

Subjects:  1. Behavior therapy for older people    2. Clinical Geriatric Psychology    3. Health Care Delivery    4. Long-term care    5. Medical / Nursing    6. Mental Health Services    7. Nursing home patients    8. Older people    9. Physiological Psychology    10. Psychological aspects    11. Psychology   

Reviews (12)

CONTAINS DISTURBING PICTURES
I haven't read much of this book, because it contains images of the most awful thing I have ever seen, the 'death by a thousand cuts'. These pictures still haunt me, and the author uses them, claiming that they are disturbing because they represent somebody who is halfway between being alive and dead - I disagree - they are disturbing because they are scenes of an atrocity inflicted on a living being. (The victim was a woman who allegedly committed adultery in China, I'm not sure when the photos were taken but they look quite old).
Critical and very accessible at the same time
James Elkins has a wonderful way of opening our eyes to the world. He explains the way we see, or maybe what we don't see, in a witty and extremely accessible way. Elkins uses his knowledge of Art History and mixes it freely with neurology and psychology to bring us readers at a different level of understanding of the world. I'm already a true fan!

My second copy because the other has gotten so beaten up
James Elkins is a masterful writer. His work is very philosophical, though he is an art historian. I heartily recommend all of his books, but The Object Stares Back is my favorite. The books makes me sad, angry, creeped out, proud, excited... Elkins is masterful, clear, and insightful. He forces you to reconsider your ideas about what it means to see and to be seen. Great book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Cognitive Psychology    3. Nonverbal communication    4. Perception    5. Physiological Psychology    6. Psychology    7. Vision    8. Visual communication    9. Visual perception    10. Theory of art   

Subjects:  1. Behavior    2. Methodology    3. Physiological Psychology    4. Psychological Research    5. Psychology    6. Research    7. Research & Methodology    8. Behavioural theory (Behaviourism)    9. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Subjects:  1. Animal behavior    2. Brain    3. Evolution    4. MacLean, Paul D    5. Movements - Humanism    6. Neuropsychology    7. Physiological Psychology    8. Politics/International Relations    9. Psychology    10. Neurology & clinical neurophysiology    11. Physiological & neuro-psychology    12. Psychology & Psychiatry / Physiological Psychology   

Editorial Review

The breezy, irreverent essays in Read more

Reviews (15)

W H Y....N O T... U S E....B E A U T Y....F O R....G O O D....E N D S ?
A brilliant, uncommonly handsome young man of my acquaintnce,
Empowering.... to a certain extent
I read a lot of "woman-centric" books, and, while this is certainly a worthy project as well as a generally interesting book, it doesn't quite measure up to essay collections such as The Bitch in the House or Old Wives' Tales.(I would like to be able to give it three and a half stars, but rounded it up to four.)The authors of these essays are extremely diverse racially, ethnically and in their backgrounds and lifestyles.For this reason alone, it is an important read, because it provides valuable cultural insight into the "beauty myths" surrounding demographics other than middle-class white women.
Great Book!
I have never been really into Women's Studies, but I recently saw this book and was intrigued.Like almost every woman on earth, I struggle with my feelings about my body.It's just so great to know that I'm not alone.It's inspiring to read about women who've made peace or made progress with their body images.This book definitely made me more aware of images of beauty that society considers normal.I realized that I've spent my whole life swallowing what the media tells me to and letting that formmy self image.The contributors to this book are very diverse but are united as well. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Beauty & Grooming - General    2. Beauty, Personal    3. Body image    4. Feminine beauty (Aesthetics)    5. Health & Fitness    6. Personal Growth - Self-Esteem    7. Personality    8. Physiological Psychology    9. Psychological aspects    10. Self-esteem in women    11. Sociology    12. Women's Studies - General   

Reviews (8)

This book changed my life
After coasting through the past ten years in a fog of depression and unfulfilling relationships, I started seeing a counselor who recommended this book to me. I'm not exaggerating when I say it changed my life. Alice Miller argues that as children, we are often instructed to "honor" our parents and win their love by suppressing our genuine feelings - especially the hurt and anger we naturally feel in response to abuse. Society reinforces this belief by idealizing parents and discouraging us from telling the truth about what we experienced as children. However, this suppression has a poisonous effect on the body and mind (and society as a whole). As much as we try to hide those feelings, they make themselves known through various kinds of suffering, both emotional and physical.
looking in a mirror
if you are not sure where some of your very icky behavior comes from, this book is a must

Should Have Been a 20-Page Undergraduate Paper
I bought this book based on its 5-star rating and feel I wasted my money.That's how I REALLY feel, authentically.I have read other works positing a connection between physical symptoms/illnesses and life trauma; the idea is not unique or new.
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Subjects:  1. Adult Child Sexual Abuse Victims    2. Child abuse    3. Developmental - General    4. Discipline of children    5. Family violence    6. Movements - Psychoanalysis    7. Parent And Child    8. Parenting    9. Physiological Psychology    10. Psychological aspects    11. Psychology    12. Child & developmental psychology   

Subjects:  1. Handbooks, manuals, etc    2. Intersensory effects    3. Medical    4. Neuropsychology    5. Neuroscience    6. Physiological Psychology    7. Psychology    8. Senses and sensation    9. Neurology & clinical neurophysiology    10. Physiological & neuro-psychology   

Editorial Review

"Don't trust your instincts." Hardly the standard self-help fare, to besure. Arguing that Darwin has a lot more to tell us about ourselves than Freud,Read more

Reviews (104)

junk theories?
Save your money! I can sum up the book in a few sentences. According to the authors, we are genetically inclined to spend money and avoid saving because our ancenstors didn't have refrigerators. We use drugs because they make us feel good. We take risks because it gives us a little high. We do drugs because they make us feel good.
Completely Stupid!
This is easily one of the most idiotic books I have ever read. I read plenty of business, economics, and evolutionary science books and there are at least 50 better books on this topic. I am just astounded that someone published it. It completely trivializes the topic. It's painfully chatty. And it's a waste of time. The presentations involving attributing behaviours to genes completely misconstrue what genes actually do. This book, and I use that term extremely "litely," is also unbelievable patronizing. The authors assume their readers are as bone-headed as they are. A mildly intelligent ten-year old child could read this book in about 30 minutes and instantly see how bad it is--can you say "lite!"
This Book Makes Sense
Terry Burnham, a visiting scholar at the Harvard Business School, holds a PhD in Business Economics from Harvard, while Jay Whelan is a Biology professor at UCLA. Together they have collaborated to produce an excellent book that explains why we humans so often act in what appear to be irrational ways.
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Subjects:  1. General    2. Genetic psychology    3. Genetics    4. Life Sciences - Evolution - Human    5. Life Sciences - Genetics & Genomics    6. Physiological Psychology    7. Psychological aspects    8. Psychology    9. Science    10. Science/Mathematics    11. Self-help techniques    12. Self-management (Psychology)   

Reviews (5)

comprehensive butjumbled
This is one of the landmark Measurement books for Psychologists.It does present a relatively comprehensive treatment of the issues facing researchers when developing measures.Unfortunately, the style of writing used in the book makes it exceedingly difficult for students to extract the useful information from the chapters.Specifically, the chapters are not particularly well organized - particularly the ones with fewer equations in them - often jumping back and forth between topics rather than presenting them more systematically.Furthermore, the prose explaning concepts and equations is basically written in an overly complex and sometimes cryptic style more appropriate for mathematicians and psychologists from the 1950's than for graduate students or modern consumers.I only bought the book to augment the graduate level measurement class that I teach and despite the fact that I have a solid background in mathematics, I grown inwardly every time I have to pick up a chapter in this book and read it.

get the 2nd edition
I am in a management PhD program and we have to read this book for our required class in psychometric theory. I totally agree with one of the other reviewers that almost no term is clearly defined by Nunnally and Bernstein in this 3rd edition. The book goes on and on and on talking about validity, reliability, scaling, ... without defining any single term in a concise manner. It is very frustrating!
The material may be good, but it's tough to get through
I'm in a Ph.D. program, and this is the required reading for our psychometric test.I was looking on the Border's web site to find a different book to read that would cover the same material, that would not be so difficult to understand.Nunally has a nasty habit of poorly defining terms, which makes it extremely difficult to grasp what he is talking about.It's challenging enough to understand psychometric theory, let alone with a practically illegible textbook!This book needs rewriting!I've given it two stars because supposedly the book contains a lot of valuable material.Of course, this doesn't matter one whit when you can't even read the darn thing!
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Subjects:  1. Physiological Psychology    2. Psychology    3. Statistics    4. Bibliographies, catalogues, discographies   

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Evolution    3. Evolutionary psychology    4. Life Sciences - Evolution    5. Methodology    6. Physiological Psychology    7. Psychology    8. Social Psychology    9. History of science    10. Psychology & Psychiatry / Social Psychology    11. Psychology | Social    12. Social & cultural anthropology   

Reviews (2)

Good examples of motivation
I've always seen motivation as more than what most do.It isn't something that is short lived if we don't want it to be.Like anything motivation can be kept alive through the use of logical steps.
IT WILL LIFT YOU UP
Motivation pumps people up, but is often temporary and leaves when the "pumper" leaves.Inspiration lifts you up and remains when you leave.More than just show and explain how these great leaders motivate, this terrific book demonstrates how these leaders inspired their people to be all that they could be... and then some.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Case studies    5. Employee motivation    6. Leadership    7. Leadership In Business    8. Management - General    9. Motivation    10. Motivational    11. Physiological Psychology    12. Business & Economics / Leadership    13. Management & management techniques   

Editorial Review

"I began this book with a pretty firm prejudice," says Robert Ornstein of his survey of the two halves of the human brain. "I believed that after two decades of research we'd find ... that there might be little to distinguish the two sides." Instead, he concluded that "the division of the mind is profound," with deep roots in evolution, embryonic development, and society. It is profound, but not simplistic: Ornstein shows how the right hemisphere is neither a chimpanzee-like moron nor a mystical genius. It provides the context, the big picture, while the left hemisphere keeps track of the details. Doris Lessing says, "I have always admired Robert Ornstein's ability to explain difficult scientific ideas to ordinary people"; Paul Ehrlich calls Read more

Reviews (11)

the right mind is the right book to read on the subject
This book is not simply a sterile collection of ideas about the right and left hemispheres of the brain.It is a superbly-paced, well thought out text, one that leads the reader not only to an understanding of how the halves of the brain may work, but to an idea of how the skills possessedwithin these parts of the brain might work together to produce the 'right'mind for a given situation.I loved the last sentence of this book-it putsit all together in a way that is just right.I strongly recommend thisbook to anyone who is interested in the subject.

Brain for beginners
Readers with previous experience with Ornstein's books may find The Right Mind the most interesting he's written. The view of brain through psychology offers a different approach about brain functions. For Beginners, this book may be quite useful. Though I read other book fromOrnestein, I was expecting to find deep research on brain assymetry, whichthis book is poor, there's nothing you can't find over Internet on relatedsites. For intermeddiate readers on brain issue, this book may offer someinteresting approaches, but too hard to get them between 200 pages.Instead, I would reccomend Carl Sagan's "Dragons of Eden", amarvelous and interesting book about brain development. Advanced readerswon't like Ornstein for explaing brain lateralization, and a moreappropriate book would be "Left brain, Right Brain", the onlyserious book written on this subject. Conclusion: Ornstein book is not thatbad at all. If you like Oliver Sacks and psychological views of brain, thisis indeed a good choice. Wrong Title though, coz it doesn't have much aboutbrain lateralization itself (by the way, the book enphasizes the importanceof both hemispheres working together - which is quite obvious when you wanta scientific approach - but many people forget on daily life).

Brain for beginners
Readers with previous experience with Ornstein's books may find The Right Mind the most interesting he's written. The view of brain through psychology offers a different approach about brain functions. For Beginners, this book may be quite useful. Though I read other book fromOrnestein, I was expecting to find deep research on brain assymetry, whichthis book is poor, there's nothing you can't find over Internet on relatedsites. For intermeddiate readers on brain issue, this book may offer someinteresting approaches, but too hard to get them between 200 pages.Instead, I would reccomend Carl Sagan's "Broca's Brain", amarvelous and interesting book about brain development. Advanced readerswon't like Ornstein for explaing brain lateralization, and a moreappropriate book would be "Left brain, Right Brain", the onlyserious book written on this subject. Conclusion: Ornstein book is not thatbad at all. If you like Oliver Sacks and psychological views of brain, thisis indeed a good choice. Wrong Title though, coz it doesn't have much aboutbrain lateralization itself (by the way, the book enphasizes the importanceof both hemispheres working together - which is quite obvious when you wanta scientific approach - but many people forget on daily life). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cognitive Psychology    2. Neuropsychology    3. Physiological Psychology    4. Psychology    5. Cognition & cognitive psychology    6. Physiological & neuro-psychology    7. Psychology & Psychiatry / Cognitive Psychology   

Subjects:  1. Binocular vision    2. Depth perception    3. Human Nervous System    4. Neuroscience    5. Physiological Optics    6. Physiological Psychology    7. Psychology    8. Reference    9. Science/Mathematics    10. Social Science    11. Social Work    12. Sociology    13. Computer vision    14. Experimental psychology    15. Neurology & clinical neurophysiology    16. Psychology & Psychiatry / Physiological Psychology    17. Psychology | Sensation & Perception