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Shirley M. Mueller MD
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Inside the Head of a Collector: Neuropsychological Forces at Play Hardcover – August 16, 2019

by Shirley M. Mueller MD (Author)
Collecting objects gives enormous pleasure to approximately one third of the population, providing such benefits as intellectual stimulation, the thrill of the chase, and leaving a legacy. On the other hand, the same pursuit can engender pain; for example, paying too much for an object, unknowingly buying a fake, or dealing with the frustrations of collection dispersal. Until recently, there was no objective way to enhance the positive (pleasure) aspects of collecting and minimize the negative (pain). Now, for the first time, scientific research in neuro- and behavioral economics gives us a way to turn this around. Neuroeconomics is the study of the biological foundation of economic thought, while behavioral economics incorporates insights from psychology and other social sciences into the examination of monetary behavior. By using examples from these disciplines, Shirley M. Mueller, MD, relates her own experiences as a serious collector and as a neuroscientist to examine different behavioral traits which characterize collectors. The contents of this book are cutting edge, unique and sure to get attention. Mueller breaks new ground in an area not previously explored. Her information is relevant not only for collectors, but also for colleges, and universities which teach collection management, plus museum staff who interact with collectors and dealers of objects desired by collectors. Heavily illustrated with ceramics from Mueller's collection and packed with useful information, this book will become a required vital resource.
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  1. Print length
    192 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Marquand Books
  4. Publication date
    August 16, 2019
  5. Dimensions
    8.75 x 0.95 x 10.9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0999652273
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0999652275
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The%20Amazon%20Book%20Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now

From the Publisher

head of a collector, collecting, art collection, collectors, art dealers, Old Porcelain, art museums
shirley m mueller md, curator, art collector, art collecting, chinese porcelain

Shirley M. Mueller, why do collectors collect?

The reason we collect is simple. It makes us happy. In this faraway place, apart from the rest of our lives, we can imagine. This is differ- ent than when we are involved in the routine aspects of living; then, we can reliably predict much of what will happen.2 With collecting, we don’t know what to expect. It can take us anywhere. And, we can easily anticipate a whole new world of excitement.

Along with these expectations comes a quest for knowledge far beyond just reading. It broadens into joining associations related to our collecting specialty, meeting wonderful people, attending confer- ences, going on trips with like-minded groups, and individually pur- suing destinations of interest. Finally, it can take over life itself. What a pleasure. Collecting isn’t a job. Collecting isn’t a hobby. It’s better. It’s a passion.

Delve into the mind of a collector with new information from the sciences of neuroeconomics and behavioral economics to understand collectors’ behavior.

chinese ceramics, art collection, art collector, museum exhibition

Part 1 - Pleasure and Pain

Pair of Chinese export porcelain underglaze blue tea caddies, c. 1640.

Behavioral economics

incorporates insights from psychology and other social sciences into the study of monetary behavior, including collecting.

chinese art, parasol ladies

Part 2 - Enhancing Pleasure Through Understanding Ourselves

Chinese export porcelain underglaze blue Parasol Ladies plate (Cornelis Pronk design), 1737–40.

Neuroeconomics

is the study of the biological foundation of economic decision-making, of which collecting is a subset.

art museums

Part 3 - Collector Experiences

Installation photo from “The Luxury of Tea and Coffee, Chinese Export Porcelain: Highlights from the Shirley M. Mueller Collection,” 2011–17, at the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields.

To invest in art simply because we love it—with secondary motivators such as pride, intellectual satisfaction, or a connection to history—is one thing. To invest in it purely because money is the motivating factor is another.

Neuropsychological, human behavior, brain, mind, collect

Helpful drawings, illustrations and scientific moments

Among the areas of the emotional brain which are important in decision-making are the pleasure center (nucleus accumbens), the area responsive to price (insula), and the fear sensor (amygdala). Though these areas have interrelated connections and each has individual functions, they participate importantly together in determining choice.

Editorial Reviews

Review

  1. Arts of Asia, January-February 2020 "What then should we learn from this book? Although its central subject is collecting and, the understanding of what motivates the behavior of collectors, it provides interesting insights into the explanations of human behavior and can be read by all. Everyone who enjoys working with, vising or collecting works of art should find something to learn." Rose Kerr
  2. The Oriental Ceramics Society of London, May 2020 "...Mueller puts aside symbolism and emotion to describe the financial and material considerations associated with collecting. Perhaps of greatest interest, however, is Mueller's inclusion of the social benefits associated with collecting. a factor often ignored in psychology and art history commentary." Ricardo Brosch

About the Author

Shirley M. Mueller, MD is an internationally known collector and scholar of Chinese export porcelain, as well as a physician board-certified in Neurology and Psychiatry. This latter expertise led her to explore her own intentions while collecting art, which, she discovered, are applicable to all collectors. This new understanding is the motivation for this book. Mueller not only lectures and publishes about the neuropsychology of the collector; she also was guest curator for Elegance from the East: New Insights into Old Porcelain at the Indianapolis Museum of Art (now Newfields) in 2017. In this unique exhibit, she combined export porcelain with concepts from neuroscience to make historical objects personally relevant to visitors.

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Shirley M. Mueller MD

Shirley M. Mueller MD

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Shirley M. Mueller, M.D. was a clinical and research neurologist at Indiana University. Now, she is an adjunct professor. She is also a passionate collector and scholar of Chinese export porcelain. In both endeavors, Shirley Mueller has a long publication history focusing on neuroscience and porcelain. In her book, Inside the Head of a Collector: Neuropsychological Forces at Play, she combines her two passions, science, and art.