The Social Brain: Discovering the Networks of the Mind [Paperback]

Michael S. Gazzaniga (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This book presents a new and valuable approach to understanding the brain , both physically and psychologically. Gazzaniga, a former student and colleague of Nobel Laureate Roger Sperry, was a pioneer in studies of the separate hemispheres of the brain. The brain, he concludes in the course of debunking many of the misinterpretations of the right-brain/left-brain studies of the past 20 years, is made up of independently acting modules that, almost in a social way, interact to bring about mental and physical behavior. Extrapolating from findings in brain-damaged and "split-brain" patients, he discusses how the left brain's "need to interpret" may be applied to explaining such topics as prejudice, evolution, and religion. A fascinating excursion into the "higher" reaches of mind-brain by a witty and clear-thinking neuroscientist. Highly recommended for general and university collections. George Adelman, formerly with Neurosciences Research Prog., MIT
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Basic Books (July 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0465078524
• ISBN-13: 978-0465078523
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,726,299 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The real story behind left brain / right brain psychology., April 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Social Brain: Discovering the Networks of the Mind (Paperback)

Gazzaniga conducted some of the first research on split-brain phenomenon, from which popular culture got the whole left brain - right brain thing. If you are interested in that and think you know what it's all about, take the time to read this short explanation of how the research was conducted and what the author himself makes of it. It's really worthwhile. There are a great many misconceptions and overgeneralizations out there about left/right-brain issues. Gazzaniga debunks some of those and offers his own conclusions -- just as fascinating as the usual pop stuff, but better grounded in reality.

Gazzaniga argues that our brain is a conglomerate where several processes go on separately, and he then asks (and ventures an answer) how we manage to perceive just a single unified experience for ourselves.