Psych: The Story of the Human Mind

Description

A Next Big Idea Club Must-Read A compelling and accessible new perspective on the modern science of psychology, based on one of Yale’s most popular courses of all time How does the brain—a three-pound wrinkly mass—give rise to intelligence and conscious experience? Was Freud right that we are all plagued by forbidden sexual desires? What is the function of emotions such as disgust, gratitude, and shame? Renowned psychologist Paul Bloom answers these questions and many more in Psych, his riveting new book about the science of the mind. Psych is an expert and passionate guide to the most intimate aspects of our nature, serving up the equivalent of a serious university course while being funny, engaging, and full of memorable anecdotes. But Psych is much more than a comprehensive overview of the field of psychology. Bloom reveals what psychology can tell us about the most pressing moral and political issues of our time—including belief in conspiracy theories, the role of genes in explaining human differences, and the nature of prejudice and hatred. Bloom also shows how psychology can give us practical insights into important issues—from the treatment of mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety to the best way to lead happy and fulfilling lives. Psych is an engrossing guide to the most important topic there is: it is the story of us. Cover Title Page Dedication Prologue Foundations 1. “Brain Makes Thought” 2. Consciousness 3. Freud and the Unconscious 4. The Skinnerian Revolution Thinking 5. Piaget’s Project 6. The Ape That Speaks 7. The World in Your Head 8. The Rational Animal Appetites 9. Hearts and Minds Relations 10. A Brief Note on a Crisis 11. Social Butterflies 12. Is Everyone a Little Bit Racist? Differences 13. Uniquely You 14. Suffering Minds 15. The Good Life Acknowledgments Notes Index About the Author Also by Paul Bloom Copyright About the Publisher