The Right Brain And The Unconscious [Hardcover]

R. Joseph (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 21, 1992 | ISBN-10: 0306443309 | ISBN-13: 978-0306443305 | Edition: 1

This breakthrough book presents, for the first time, the scientific underpinnings of the unconscious. Whereas clinical psychologists embrace the world of the mind and neuroscientists examine the physiology of the brain, neither approach alone can adequately explain the magnificent nuances of this remarkable organ or the realm of the unconscious. Here Dr. Joseph, an internationally recognized expert in the fields of both neuroscience and clinical psychology, weds these two seemingly disparate disciplines into one, generating one of the most astonishing books of our time. He offers compelling stories that show the extent to which humans are unaware of the intense power of our right brains and limbic systems. Although our left brain devises seemingly rational reasons for our choices and behavior, most of us have barely any conception of the stranger that lurks within our right brain. When we humans select a mate or act in a self-defeating manner at work or at home, what forces are truly at play? Why are so many people stunned that they repeatedly end up in destructive relationships? According to Dr. Joseph, the experiences of our childhood are etched onto the very circuitry of our brains and can profoundly influence our decisions on an unconscious level for the rest of our lives. He explicates how our inner Child, Parent, and Adult struggle to gain mastery of our choices. He further demonstrates how these inner forces trigger our defense mechanisms, keeping us in the dark about our true motivations. The revelations of this book will forever change the course of clinical psychology and neuropsychology. By merging clinical psychology and neuroscience, two antagonistic yet complementary disciplines, Dr. Joseph blazes a new path illuminating the most intriguing workings of the deepest recesses of our minds.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 418 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books; 1 edition (August 21, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0306443309
• ISBN-13: 978-0306443305
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,430,142 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for understanding the structure of our mind!, April 28, 2008

By 

xlotus - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Right Brain and the Unconscious: Discovering The Stranger Within (Paperback)

After reading Gladwell's Blink on trained intuition, I wanted to know more about our split brain and stumbled across this book. It clarifies how unconscious the left brain, which is supposed to be conscious, is, and vice versa for the right brain. It identifies the true unconscious as the limbic system, using an approach that combines psychoanalysis and neuroscience. The book then relates all the dimensions of my mind to our life journey from birth to adult with lots of examples. This book is totally key to understanding our behavior. Highly recommended!

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fosters an intellectual awakening. Great for understanding family & self, March 8, 2010

By 

Miles Hunter "Miles" (Omaha, NE) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Right Brain and the Unconscious: Discovering The Stranger Within (Paperback)

I have the 1992 version.
Another reviewer mentioned that this is common material for the field and therefore a rehash of commonly known material. That may be true if you live on planet where floating brains the size of beachballs telepathically massage & control you.
I've found this book to be an awakening of amazing understanding in me. This single book has shown me the power of books like no other has. It's like this guy has to spend 30 years of his life learning all this stuff and I can spend the time it takes to thoroughly read it in order to get about 25-50% of what he learned in that 30 years!!! Amazing.
The insights I've gained about myself and more importantly my family have been priceless. I always said that my mother did not have the capacity to understand what I was saying and this book validates that. It's helped me move past a lot of the blame and accept her and the rest of my family for what they are. That doesn't mean I want to be around them but living in a left brained family can be a nightmare for a right brained child. Those wounds run very deep and this has not only helped me with understanding why they act the way they act it helps me understand the way I act and what I need to do to take care of myself; namely stay away from them.
It's also well written and relatively easy to follow for a layperson
I give this book the highest rating possible.

1 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Useless information, June 21, 2008

By 

Robert Wachal "seeker" (Iowa City, IA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Right Brain and the Unconscious: Discovering The Stranger Within (Paperback)

This book rehashes well-know info about left and right brain; throws in a bunch of psychobabble; and never comes to grips with explaining the unconscious.