Cognitive Neuroscience: The Biology of the Mind [Hardcover]

Michael S. Gazzaniga (Author), George Mangun (Author), Richard Ivry (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0393972194 | ISBN-13: 978-0393972191 | Publication Date: April 1998 | Edition: 1

Seeks to demonstrate how the complex processes of the mind - perception, language, memory, feelings - are made possible by the underlying biology of the brain. The text explores the neurological chemistry behind critical diseases and suggest various treatments. A series of interviews with researchers brings the science to life.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 600 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; 1 edition (April 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393972194
• ISBN-13: 978-0393972191
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #153,464 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not an Introductory Text, July 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Cognitive Neuroscience: The Biology of the Mind (Hardcover)

I am currently studying this text in an introductory class. It seems to be a source of frustration to most of the course's students.

The text's overall organization is to compare studies of animals and humans, discuss how they differ from or support one another, and show how they may reveal underlying mechanisms for behavior. However, this structure is never made clear. To the beginning psych student, the text comes across as a jumbled mess of conflicting data and jargon. There is no glossary supplied, and as if that weren't enough, the index is not thorough.

Most of the faults with this book arise from poor editing rather than writing. It's clear that the authors are experts in their field; however, as experts, their writing is at too high of a level for the beginning student. If this book is intended for an introductory class, the editors should be more careful about clearly defining difficult terms and removing as much cognitive neuroscience lingo as possible. Further, although the graphics are nice to look at, many of their captions introduce new concepts not discussed in the text or fail to clarify what is depicted. As a side note, the editors should also look closely at the headings and subheadings: many are placed incorrectly and add little or no value to reading comprehension.

In short, this is a good text for someone who wants a broad review of a field they are already familiar with. It will need a second or third edition if it is to be appropriate for an introductory class.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Resource., April 7, 2001

By 

Lim Ti Leong "ti_leong" (Singapore) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cognitive Neuroscience: The Biology of the Mind (Hardcover)

Good resource for references on neuropsychological experiments. Written by a well known Neuropsychologist. This title requires a basic fundamental understanding in biopsychology and cognitive psychology.