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Biology and Human Behavior: The Neurological Origins of Individuality, 2nd Edition

By: Robert Sapolsky, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Robert Sapolsky
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Publisher's Summary

When are we responsible for our own actions, and when are we in the grip of biological forces beyond our control? What determines who we fall in love with? The intensity of our spiritual lives? The degree of our aggressive impulses?

These questions fall into the scientific province of behavioral biology, the field that explores interactions between the brain, mind, body, and environment that have a surprising influence on how we behave. In short, how our brains make us the individuals we are.

In this series of 24 fascinating lectures by a prominent neurobiologist, zoologist, and MacArthur Foundation "genius" grant recipient, you'll investigate how the human brain is sculpted by evolution, constrained or freed by genes, shaped by early experience, modulated by hormones, and otherwise influenced to produce a wide range of behaviors, some of them abnormal. And you'll learn how little can be explained by thinking about any of these factors alone, because some combination of influences is almost always at work.

Professor Sapolsky includes a provocative exploration of the implications of our emerging understanding of the origins of individual differences, considering such questions as: How much do these insights threaten our own sense of self and individuality? Where do we draw the line between the essence of the person and the biological abnormalities? What counts as being ill? Who is biologically impaired, and who is just different? As more and more subtle abnormalities of neurobiology are understood, how much should we worry about the temptation to label people as "abnormal"? And what happens when we each have a few of these labels?

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2005 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2005 The Great Courses

What listeners say about Biology and Human Behavior: The Neurological Origins of Individuality, 2nd Edition

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Great book overall.

I would have liked less about the physical mechanisms by which the brain operates (the first 14 chapters) and more about how they manifest in behaviours (the last 10 chapters).

Overall, very informative, entertainingly presented and a couple of big light bulb moments even for someone who has read quite a few books on the subject.

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Thoroughly enjoyed this lecture.

Vivid explanation, amazing insight. Great teacher! I can't wait to ponder this new information with friends.

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should be first year Uni mandatory cost

get a great start in life out in the society for anyone. read multiple times

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2 people found this helpful

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Great

This is a great book for those interested in neurobiology and psychology. Very easy to listen to.

Will relisten for sure.

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Absolutely fascinating!

What made the experience of listening to Biology and Human Behavior: The Neurological Origins of Individuality, 2nd Edition the most enjoyable?

I have enjoyed this book immensely! have listened to it twice already!
As a clinician and one who deals with brain pathology and anatomy in gross form on daily basis, exploring this aspect of human brain has made my day to day work even more interesting.
Prof. Sapolsky is an absolute star in his field and a gift to humanity when it comes to teaching!
His lectures are so well connected and flow through with robust background knowledge that are a joy to listen to.
Enjoyed every sentence!

What did you like best about this story?

So well structured and presentation of the supporting literature, connecting biology and behaviour.

Any additional comments?

thoroughly recommended to those who want to understand the human brain and behaviour.

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Brilliant. Fascinating. Hilarious.

Like listening to Woody Allen explain neuroscience in the most lucid terms. Makes complex ideas brilliantly accessible.

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amazing.

this is one of thise books that answers questions you didn't know you had. get it.

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Sapolsky. best bio teacher ever

loved it totally changed my core beliefs and understanding of the animal and human environments.

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