Multimind: A New Way of Looking at Human Behavior (Paperback)

by Robert E. Ornstein (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
The author of The Psychology of Consciousness here defines the human mind as a "bastard hybrid system." Each of us has many "small minds" that simultaneously process feelings, fantasies, ideas, fixed routines, interpersonal responses and bodily skills. While Ornstein's "multimind" theory is more descriptive than explanatory, it offers a welcome alternative to trendy computer models, split-brain theories and Freudianism. Multimind helps explain why our emotions and attitudes are easily swayed, the difficulty of ever really knowing oneself or another person, and how mental shortcuts we rely on to make snap judgments can harden prejudices. Ornstein faults the narrowness of IQ tests by stressing the varied abilities that make up intelligence. He cites studies of hypnosis and multiple personality in support of the view tht several minds can coexist in one person. It's worth heeding his axiom, "Whatever enters consciousness is greatly overemphasized."
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 206 pages
• Publisher: Ishk (April 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1883536294
• ISBN-13: 978-1883536299
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #471,109 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Did you think your mind is single ?, August 18, 2004

By	Steve Uhlig (Delft, The Netherlands) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Ornstein here provides in this concise book arguments in favour of the multi-faceted working of the mind. If something can be called "mind", then it must be realized that several minds (functions) work throughout the brain. There is no single entity that can be called the "mind" as several processes work in parallel and contend for a higher-layer, call it consciousness, soul or whatever. Using recent works in psychology, Ornstein demonstrates that no single entity can cover the different, and even inconsistent aspects that underlie our human behavior.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars "Multimind" -- a look at what we is!, December 5, 2005

By	Russell A. Rohde MD "Owl" (West Covina, California USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Multimind/a New Way of Looking at Human Behavior (Hardcover)

"Multimind," Robert Ornstein, MA, Houghton Mifflen Co., 1986 ISBN 0-395-41107-6, HC 192 pgs, plus Note-Comments 8 pg., Ref. 4 pg., 8 1/2" x 5 3/4".

With 10 prior writings on consciousness, experience & the brain, Prof. Ornstein (Human Biol.) of Stanford presents us with his hypothesis of how the human brain/mind appears to be composed of multiple modules each of which may function apart or in harmony with constituent elements to help explain existence of "I", to establish homeostasis of an internal environment & to cope with the machinations of sensory inputs and comparisons, to simplify judgements, & to screen saliency without overt conscious effort. I am not sure how "Mindset" qualifies as "startling new concept of how the human mind works," BUT this is not of itself nosy.

"Multimind" uses easily read prose, boasts nothing overtly technical & it is blessed with a good sprinkling of anecdotes, shaggy dog stories, salient psychological stories of humaness & strategies for life in general & life in the fast lane including business sales, modern warefare & friendships -- Platonic or otherwise. He nicely illustrates how our minds are easily deceived, persuaded, coerced, intimidated & even corrupted in games of strategy based merely on the number of players involved. The treatise is not pompous, but, prototypical of books imparting hypotheses, has ample prolixity.

The work is written largely from the viewpoint of a psychologist pondering the mindset, sense & reasoning. The author suggests ways to look within ourselves at our desires, motivations, inconsistencies & reactions to & from others as a way of better understanding the MOS (Mental Operating System) which evolved over many millennium to make explicit elucidation of its ambulant disciplines readily known. Ornstein quotes J. Rumi (Persian poet, 13th Cent.) "What bread looks like depends upon whether you are hungry or not."