The Library of Human Behavior: 11 More Titles for your Reading List

by Admin


27 Oct
 None    Internet Related


by Gord Hotchkiss


by Gord Hotchkiss
http://www.enquiro.com

Last week, I shared 11 titles that explore the intersection between marketing, psychology and neurology. In retrospect, I think I approached this backwards. While the titles I shared are all interesting (and fairly easy reads), they are somewhat dependent on a fundamental understanding of why humans do what we do. So, this week, I share a good starting library of human behavior, which can then be applied more generally.


The Moral Animal: Why We Are the Way We Are – Robert Wright

If you’re on the fence about or simply do not believe in evolution (along with 50% of Americans)you probably want to stop right here. The first 3 titles in this list are by authors who together create a pantheon for evolutionary psychology and Darwinism. The first is by Robert Wright. In the Moral Animal, Wright employs an interesting literary device: exploring human behavior by referencing biographical details in Charles Darwin’s own life. He explores monogamy, child rearing, differing attitudes towards sex and self-deception, amongst many other mysteries of the human condition. A compelling and highly intelligent read.

The Selfish Gene – Richard Dawkins

This book was first published over 30 years ago, and somehow still manages to remain controversial. Perhaps it’s because Dawkins’ choice of assigning the human characteristic of selfishness to our genes has confused many, many readers. If you take the time to read the book, Dawkins explains at length that humans are not necessarily selfish. In fact, one chapter is titled: “Nice Guys Finish First”. Dawkins’ premise is that our genes only care about propagation. That’s it. End of story. Morality and all the ethical trappings that go with it only survive if it helps the gene meet this one objective. Fortunately, Dawkins shows that this is likely the case. A couple of other noteworthy nuggets in this book include the first introduction of memes – ideas that share the propagation directives of genes, and an exploration of phenotypes – how the impact of genes can extend into all aspects of our lives and society.

The Third Chimpanzee – Jared Diamond

Diamond starts off the book by stating that we share 98% of our genes with chimpanzees, then spends the rest of the book describing how that remaining 2% can make all the difference. In that thin wedge of genetic difference lie all our culture, achievement and history. Some human achievements are admirable, even remarkable. Some are regrettably base and cruel. Diamond chronicles both the good and the bad, along with a warning – our dominance of our world may end up spelling our doom. A professor of geography who combines the eye of a naturalist, the curiosity of a sociologist and the ponderings of a philosopher, Diamond makes The Third Chimpanzee a masterful book.

The Stuff of Thought – Steven Pinker

Following in the steps of Noam Chomsky (up to a point) psychologist Steven Pinker uses language as a door to explore the shadowy recesses of how our minds work. This book is a seminal piece of work in this area. Pinker is masterful at exploring complicated concepts without “dumbing down” his commentary. Pinker has an entire library worth reading, but this is as good a place to start as any.

Descartes’ Error – Antonio Damasio

Antonio Damasio was introduced to the common masses in Malcolm Gladwell’s book Blink, but Damasio’s work on somatic markers and the role of the prefrontal cortex in how we make decisions goes far further than Gladwell was able to cover. Descartes’ Error delves deep into our gut instincts and why pure rationality is an unworkable model for humans. To paraphrase Descartes’ famous quote – we feel, therefore we are.

And, to round out my 11 suggestions, here are 6 other titles worth exploring

The Mind and the Brain – Jeffrey Schwartz
Synaptic Self – Joseph LeDoux
A Whole New Mind – Daniel Pink
Mapping the Mind – Rita Carter
The Emotional Brain – Joseph LeDoux
The Female Brain – Louanne Brizendine


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