The Other Side of Normal: How Biology Is Providing the Clues to Unlock the Secrets of Normal and Abnormal Behavior [Hardcover]

Jordan Smoller (Author)

Book Description

Release date: May 8, 2012

In this enthralling work of popular science, respected Harvard psychiatrist Jordan Smoller addresses one of humankind’s most enduring and perplexing questions: What does it mean to be “normal?” In The Other Side of Normal, Smoller explores the biological component of normalcy, revealing the hidden side of our everyday behaviors—why we love what we love and fear what we fear. Other bestselling works of neurobiology and the mind have focused on mental illness and abnormal behaviors—like the Oliver Sacks classic, The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat—but The Other Side of Normal is an eye-opening, thought-provoking, utterly fascinating and totally accessible exploration of the universals of human experience. It will change forever our understanding of who we are and what makes us that way.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Enlisting research in evolutionary biology, genetics, and psychology, along with advances in molecular neuroscience and neuroimaging, Harvard psychiatrist Smoller redefines the biology of normal. Genetic variation, natural selection, environment, and unique individual experiences coalesce in molding our social and emotional selves. He considers the neural basis of social cognition, empathy, and even love, both the romantic and maternal varieties. Smoller maps out the biology of disgust, resiliency, and fear and then correlates these phenomena with anatomical areas of the brain—the insula, hippocampus, and amygdala, respectively. We learn that our memories get resculpted. And that oxytocin, a peptide hormone consisting of a measly nine amino acids, works like a love potion in women and also stimulates trust. In the fetching chapter The Brain of the Beholder: Beauty and Sexual Attraction, we find out that evolution seems to favor symmetrical facial features and statistically middling appearances rather than an exotic visage. In the worlds of psychiatry and neuroscience, normal is hardly average nor necessarily an ideal state but, rather, a landscape of human possibility. --Tony Miksanek

Review

“Move over Oliver Sacks - I couldn’t put this fascinating book down! Path-breaking and witty, as entertaining as it is informative, The Other Side of Normal is filled with insights into why we behave as we do and how biology determines so much of our emotional makeup. A brilliant mind and dazzling writer, Smoller has written a book that will change the way you look at every day life.” (Amy Chua, Yale Law Professor and New York Times bestseller Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother)

“Exciting... provocative...Clearly and articulately, he ties evolutionary psychology, biological psychiatry, animal behavior, and related fields into a package of rare coherence.” (Publishers Weekly (starred review))

“Highly interesting and accessible study of brain science and behavior....This thoroughly documented work provides enough information to satisfy the science-savvy without leaving the rest of us behind....Readers will be fascinated.” (Library Journal)

“An informative overview of research in neuroscience that provides a scientific foundation for understanding mental disorders.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“Smoller redefines the biology of normal.” (Booklist)

“Are we born crazy, or is crazy thrust upon us? Smoller investigates.” (Denver Post)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow; First Edition edition (May 8, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061492191
• ISBN-13: 978-0061492198
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #486,454 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jordan Smoller is Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars So I'm normal after all? June 10, 2012

By ARP

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Contrary to a review recently posted by GregJS, the "self-proclaimed central issue" of this book was not, to my read, a commentary on the socio-cultural aspects of defining normal. That sort of debate often centers on the idea that "normal" is a social construction; for instance, if we were all to decide tomorrow that walking on our hands was normal, then feet-walkers would suddenly be abnormal, and so normal is just what we decide it is. If you are looking for THAT commentary, GregJS is right, you'll be disappointed.

This book, instead, takes a good, hard look at "abnormal," as defined by psychology and psychiatry (think back to your "Abnormal Psychology" class in college), and makes the reader think hard about what abnormal actually is (and isn't). Jordan Smoller, the author of _The Other Side of Normal_ is a psychiatrist and epidemiologist, he is on the faculty at Harvard Medical School, and he's published a lot of research on the genetics of psychiatric disorders. And the book is very much written from that perspective (except maybe it's written much more clearly, and speaks to the layperson a lot more easily than you might expect from a Harvard professor). It includes a very very broad review of what we know about how biology contributes to human behavior. And the author suggests that in understanding how the brain is wired to do "normal" things (e.g., like respond to a dangerous encounter in a dark alley with a fight or flight instinct), we can better understand what psychology/psychiatry identify as "abnormal" (e.g., like anxiety disorders whereby people have that 'fight or flight' feeling, even when they're not in a dark alley and there's no one dangerous around).... Then he goes one step further, and says that because of this, the line between normal and abnormal is actually very blurry (he uses the metaphor that I loved: twilight, the blurry line between day and night... there's no one second where you can say that it's no longer day, and has turned to night... similarly, who's to say when a normal fear of snakes should be called a phobia, or a normal sexual desire should be called a fetish, or a normal problem maintaining relationships should be called an attachment disorder- all of these are covered nicely in the book).

GregJS misinterpreted the intention of the book, and was disappointed. So who WILL enjoy this book? I would say that this book is good for you if:
1) You're interested in human behavior and psychology either because it's a topic that you're naturally drawn to, or because you or someone you know has a mental health disorder; AND
2) You may not be a science whiz, but you have some understanding of basic human biology (mostly neurobiology and genetics)- either from high school or college human biology, or even a psychology class at some point (the book does go into the biology a little bit, and if you don't at least know that the brain has different areas with distinct functions, or that you get half your genes from your mother and half from your father... you might be lost); AND
3) You have a good sense of humor. The book is peppered with humorous stories and witty one-liners that will keep you on your toes.

Jordan Smoller had quite a challenge in writing this book- it seems like he was trying to present brain biology and psychology in a way that would be understandable -and even enjoyable- to the layperson. I think he rose to that challenge. I learned quite a bit reading the book, but it was the kind of easy learning that comes when you're enjoying the process. Remember that class you took, with the professor that was funny and likable and told great stories, and you learned so much just by sitting and listening? That's what this book is like. Read more ›

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific, informative and interesting book! September 22, 2012

By Ginny

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is fascinating reading and very informative. I am a Physician Assistant in pediatrics and deal with children with various diagnoses. The author is able to offer an understanding some of the latest research with real life examples. As the parent of two adopted children with some neurological issues I also appreciated the authors insights. Good for both health care providers and parents wanting some perspective and understanding of mental health and neurological issues.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A Mind Opener June 13, 2012

By Stanley J. Landau

Format:Hardcover

An area that I really never thought about, the book,in a lucid, logical fashion prompted me into thinking about the evolution of normal. Who and why we are examined in a logical, provacative and often humorous manner. Well worth reading.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This nanny thanks you! June 14, 2012

By DDM

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

As a professional caregiver for young children, I am always looking to learn more about child development and The Other Side Of Normal was a really helpful read for me. Full of great information that is incredibly easy for the lay person to understand, this book has given me a new and informed perspective about how kids learn language, develop a theory of mind, why some are more shy than others and so much more. And I finally got confirmation that hours and hours of listening to Baby Einstein still won't make the little ones any smarter. Thank you, Dr. Smoller, for giving me valuable tools to be better at my chosen profession and more understanding of the children I care for.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read! June 14, 2012

By Alesandra DiMacurio

Format:Hardcover

This book is amazing and I highly recommend it. Smollar draws on years of his own research on psychiatric genetics as well as psychological and other biological research to unpack and advance our understanding of normal and abnormal behavior. The writing is exceptionally clear and compelling and the anecdotes are fascinating!! It fits with the cannon of the best books on the nature of the human condition!!!

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating read June 10, 2012

By crs

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is a fascinating read! It is interesting,accessable and has amusing anecdotes. It is fun and a MUST read!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A great balance between neural science and psychology June 8, 2013

By William S. Hughey

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I like that the author stays away from useless speculation and makes a convincing case for the underlying science for why our brains develop along the paths they do.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great May 25, 2013

By Pat Green

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Very readable; well done. Recognizes nature vs nurture impacting our emotions. Answers many questions about personality disorders and other difficult people