What do you think?
Rate this book
神经的逻辑：奇妙人类行为背后的大脑机制
无论是哈欠传染、虚假记忆、饱腹进食、感同身受、清醒梦等常见的行为和心理，还是幻觉、濒死体验、盲视、梦游杀人、多重人格等惊奇案例，其肇始都是人脑。本书为我们一一讲述相关故事，并以这些现象为契机，深入神经系统内部，揭示并解读脑内的有意识和无意识双系统如何在“神经的逻辑”之下造就了这些情形。弄清楚脑神经系统的运作逻辑，不仅可以改变我们对各种心理状况的看法，也能让我们更了解自身的隐秘之处，做出更好的决策。
392 pages, Paperback
First published January 12, 2016
179 people are currently reading
2815 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
April 14, 2018
An insight into the brain's inner workings. The alternative mechanisms of sight that some blignd people demonstrate are particularly illuminating.
A definite must reread.
A definite must reread.
April 17, 2017
بعض الكتب تشبه الحاجات الضرورية، كالماء والهواء في مجالها. تلك الكتب التي تستوجب تتابع الحمد والشكر لواهبها سبحانه. وكل كتاب هو نعمة على تفاوت بين مراتب النعم.
تلك الكتب التي تشكّل حجر الزاوية في مجالها. فإما أن تجمع الأصول وتبسطها بسطًا قريبًا واضحًا مُفهمًا. أو تسلط الضوء على زوايا خفيّة خافية فتكتمل بها الصورة، وتتضح بها الأمور.
هذا الكتاب مهم جدًا لكلّ باحث أو هاوٍ في مجالات العقل والتفكير والسلوك البشري. وقد عرض الكاتب للكثير من الوظائف الدماغية من باب فهم الخلل الذي يصيب التفكير والسلوك، مما يقود إلى فهم آلية عمل الدماغ والتي يريدنا الكاتب أن نفهم منطقيتها في سياقها. ومن هنا أراد للعنوان أن يوحي بمنطقية الأعصاب neuro- logic . أو لنقل أنه شرح الآلية المنطقية التي تؤدي إلى ما نستغربه ونعجب له من أنواع المرض النفسي والعصبي. وقد شرح كلّ ذلك بأسلوبٍ بديعٍ وجذّاب ومدعومٍ يالرسوم التوضيحية أيضًا.
بل وسيجد القارئ المهتم في هذا الكتاب تفسيرًا ممكنًا لبعض الظواهر التي اعتدنا على اعتبارها غيبيات أو استثناءات.
أن تستكشف العقل يعني أن تبصر الأسرار وتفهم! وذلك –والله- لمتعةً ما بعدها متعة، ونعمة تفوق غيرها من النعم.
August 11, 2016
Pop sci book on my field, cognitive neuroscience. As such, I found I was familiar with most of the material, which is why I give it 3 stars rather than the 4 it probably objectively deserves.
It was a really good overview of some interesting aspects of the field, some of which I bring up in conversation, but it was fundamentally "pop" which meant that a lot of details were smoothed over, inaccuracies were given for the sake of simplicity, and random jargon was inserted to keep things authoritative without being informative.
My main issue with the book on an objective level is that it had a good idea, to cover the ways in which the brain "fills the gaps", but while the sources are all there, the author doesn't dedicate enough time to properly weave the thread together, explain the big picture, etc. A better introduction would have done the trick. As such, it just seems like a collection of anecdotal research, when in reality the book has in common how the brain figures out the world with missing information. Very little original content/analysis on the part of the author.
It was a really good overview of some interesting aspects of the field, some of which I bring up in conversation, but it was fundamentally "pop" which meant that a lot of details were smoothed over, inaccuracies were given for the sake of simplicity, and random jargon was inserted to keep things authoritative without being informative.
My main issue with the book on an objective level is that it had a good idea, to cover the ways in which the brain "fills the gaps", but while the sources are all there, the author doesn't dedicate enough time to properly weave the thread together, explain the big picture, etc. A better introduction would have done the trick. As such, it just seems like a collection of anecdotal research, when in reality the book has in common how the brain figures out the world with missing information. Very little original content/analysis on the part of the author.
September 8, 2017
Fascinating! This book delves into current brain research, going between case studies and internal scans. The various topics seem only loosely connected until the end, when they are brought together in an examination of self. Highly recommended, this copy will be returned to the library but I will be purchasing soon.
I started this and fell behind events; my month+ of reading is in no way indicative of the content. This book is not over-simplified, but is still completely accessible. It contains an extensive bibliography and index, along with end-notes. Just before all of those are some excellent brain maps - I just wish they were inside the dust jacket for easier use.
I started this and fell behind events; my month+ of reading is in no way indicative of the content. This book is not over-simplified, but is still completely accessible. It contains an extensive bibliography and index, along with end-notes. Just before all of those are some excellent brain maps - I just wish they were inside the dust jacket for easier use.
January 19, 2016
for as fascinating and compelling a subject as neuroscience is, it's likely nigh impossible for any book on the subject to be dull. eliezer sternberg, a resident neurologist at yale-new haven hospital, covers a wide range of cognitive science-related topics in his new book, neurologic: the brain's hidden rationale behind our irrational behavior. seeking an understanding of the myriad processes and functions at work within our brains, sternberg offers an equal mix of research, anecdote, extrapolation, and interpretation. from memory, cognition, mental illness, paranormal/religious experiences, trauma, learning, executive function, attention, hypnosis, perception, hallucinations, identity, selfhood, empathy, compassion, motor control, dreams, bias, and so much more, neurologic provides an engrossing look at a rapidly developing discipline that incorporates "the interaction of conscious and unconscious systems in the brain."
neurologic, perhaps like the best of books, whets the appetite while simultaneously sating the intellect. each chapter or vignette could easily be reworked into a longer piece, but by flitting upon so many (obviously interrelated) subjects, sternberg allows a comprehensive (or as much of one as may currently be said to exist) pattern to emerge — one which amply demonstrates the complexity and character of our most enigmatic of organs. neurologic is an engaging, captivating read, one likely to appeal equally to both neuroscience neophytes and those already more familiar with some of the subject's most important concepts and developments.
neurologic, perhaps like the best of books, whets the appetite while simultaneously sating the intellect. each chapter or vignette could easily be reworked into a longer piece, but by flitting upon so many (obviously interrelated) subjects, sternberg allows a comprehensive (or as much of one as may currently be said to exist) pattern to emerge — one which amply demonstrates the complexity and character of our most enigmatic of organs. neurologic is an engaging, captivating read, one likely to appeal equally to both neuroscience neophytes and those already more familiar with some of the subject's most important concepts and developments.
there is an underlying logic to the way the brain interprets our experiences, encodes our memories, and writes our history. the unconscious system creates connections between various snapshots in our lives, it monitors our emotions at each moment to decide what to emphasize, and it organizes those snapshots in such a way as to tell a story that is unified, straightforward, and, most of all, personal and intimate. that story becomes our conscious life.
when parts of the story are missing, however, whether due to brain damage or the confusing nature of an experience, the brain follows the same logical protocol to fill the holes. just as we might fill in a puzzle with missing pieces, the unconscious brain searches for fragments of memories and ideas, borrowing from our vast bank of knowledge, that fit most neatly and convincingly. always the egocentric storyteller, the brain relies on our beliefs and personal perspectives, our hopes and fears, to guide its task of inscribing the ploy. as we might imagine, however, the more severe the gap in the memory system or the more confusing the experience, the deeper the brain will have to reach to spin its narrative. to outsiders, the story the brain tells in those cases may seem, well, a little weird.
May 16, 2023
I cannot describe how amazing this book is, it was perfect, it spoke very clearly about every point and even detoured a little to make the big picture perfectly clear.
I’ve contemplated Neuroscience as s profession in the future before, and I’ve had thoughts like “ maybe it isn’t for me” this book was a great “ introduction “ into what seems like a huge mysterious world, and it was the perfect book for me .
I liked how it didn’t assume the reader knew everything, this could be real by anyone and it would still be well understood and I loved that.
The topics this book focused on were beyond interesting, even the ones that seemed not so interesting in the beginning turned out to be mind blowing.
I’ll definitely revisit this book ( hopefully multiple times ) in the future, because it’s not the type of book that should be read once.
I’ve contemplated Neuroscience as s profession in the future before, and I’ve had thoughts like “ maybe it isn’t for me” this book was a great “ introduction “ into what seems like a huge mysterious world, and it was the perfect book for me .
I liked how it didn’t assume the reader knew everything, this could be real by anyone and it would still be well understood and I loved that.
The topics this book focused on were beyond interesting, even the ones that seemed not so interesting in the beginning turned out to be mind blowing.
I’ll definitely revisit this book ( hopefully multiple times ) in the future, because it’s not the type of book that should be read once.
November 23, 2020
لماذا نأكل عندما لا نكون جائعين!؟
.
.
عندما يتولى نظام العادة السيطرة ، فإن قدرتنا على استرداد المعلومات المخزنة في الذاكرة العرضية تتعرض للخطر. تخزن الذاكرة العرضية المعرفة السياقية التي تساعد في اتخاذ القرار ، سواء كان ذلك إدراكًا لموقعنا أو فكرة أننا يجب أن ندير مهمة. وتشمل هذه المعرفة أيضًا جميع أسباب الامتناع عن الأكل عندما لا نكون جائعين. قد يكون من بين هذه الأسباب القلق من زيادة الوزن ، أو القلق بشأن حالتنا الصحية ، أو مجرد الشعور بالامتلاء الذي يجعل تناول الطعام غير ضروري. ومع ذلك ، فمن الشائع جدًا بالنسبة لنا أن نأكل عندما لا نشعر بالجوع ، وهو سلوك يتفق عليه معظمنا على أنه مجرد "عادة سيئة" ، لكن لا أحد يعني ذلك حرفيًا أو علميًا. ومع ذلك ، تظهر الأبحاث أن تناول الطعام عندما نشبع يتم التحكم فيه من خلال نظام العادات .
طُلب من 32 متطوعًا يتمتعون بصحة جيدة الجلوس أمام شاشة الكمبيوتر والضغط على زر كلما ظهرت صورة على الشاشة تشير إليهم للقيام بذلك. عندما ضغطوا على الزر ، أصدرت آلة بجانبهم إما شريحة ذرة Fritos أو M&M. كانوا يأكلون أي وجبة خفيفة تخرجها الآلة. قام نصف الأشخاص بهذه المهمة لمدة جلستين فقط مدة كل منهما ثماني دقائق ، بينما قام النصف الآخر باثنتي عشرة جلسة مدة كل منها ثماني دقائق. المجموعة الثانية لديها ستة أضعاف تمرين على المهمة أكثر من المجموعة الأولى وكان من المرجح أن تبدأ في النهاية بالضغط على الزر بعيدًا عن العادة. للتأكد من أن المجموعة الأولى لم تطور عادات والمجموعة الثانية فعلت ذلك ، راقب المجربون نشاط الدماغ لكلا المجموعتين. نظرًا لأن المخطط هو المكان الذي تتطور فيه العادات في الدماغ ، يمكن للقائمين بالتجربة تأكيد أن المجموعة الثانية (المجموعة التي تلقت مزيدًا من الممارسة) قد طورت عادات لأنها أظهرت زيادة كبيرة في تنشيط المخطط بنهاية تدريبهم . سنطلق على هذه المجموعة مجموعة العادات والمجموعة الأولى مجموعة غير المعتادة .
لتحديد كيفية تأثير تطور العادات على سلوكنا الغذائي ، كان الباحثون مهتمين بنشاط منطقة معينة من الدماغ تُعرف باسم قشرة الفص الجبهي البطني ، وتقع في الجزء الأوسط السفلي من الفص الجبهي. تتمثل الوظيفة الرئيسية لهذه المنطقة في توقع قيمة حدث متوقع. هذا مهم في مسار المكافأة في الدماغ ، والذي يدير التعزيز الإيجابي والسلبي للسلوك. على سبيل المثال ، عندما تجلس جائعًا في مطعم ويقترب النادل من المائدة بأطباق من الطعام ، تبدأ الألعاب النارية العصبية في الدماغ تحسباً للوجبة. قشرة الفص الجبهي البطني هي إحدى المناطق الرئيسية التي تساهم في هذه الإثارة. إنه يرتفع كلما توقعت أن تجربة معينة ستؤدي إلى مكافأة عالية. هذا يسمح بالتعزيز الإيجابي لأنه يشجعنا على الاستمرار في فعل السلوك المعني. لذلك ، عندما ننتظر بفارغ الصبر وضع طبق الطعام أمامنا ، فإن قشرة الفص الجبهي البطني ت��طلق ، لأنها تكتشف المكافأة العالية. ومع ذلك ، بمجرد أن نكون ممتلئين ، تتضاءل الاستجابة إلى حد كبير. إذا أحضر النادل طبقًا آخر من الطعام ، فإن القشرة الأمامية الجبهية البطنية بالكاد ستستجيب على الإطلاق. الاستجابة المنخفضة تقلل من قيمة تجربة الأكل ، مما يثنينا عن الاستمرار في تناول الطعام. يعتقد العلماء كذلك أن المناطق المجاورة في قشرة الفص الجبهي تمنع الشعور بالجوع المتولد في منطقة ما تحت المهاد. لذلك ، تشارك قشرة الفص الجبهي البطني في حلقة التغذية الراجعة. إنها تعزز بشكل إيجابي الأكل عندما نشعر بالجوع ، ولكن فعل الأكل هذا يتسبب في النهاية في ثني قشرة الفص الجبهي البطني عن الأكل وإدراك أننا ممتلئون.
أراد الباحثون مقارنة استجابات قشرة الفص الجبهي البطني في مجموعة العادات والمجموعة غير المعتادة. في المجموعة غير المعتادة ، تم تنشيط قشرة الفص الجبهي البطني قبل كل ضغطة على الزر تحسباً لتناول وجبة خفيفة ، مما شجعهم على تناول الطعام. ولكن كان ذلك بينما كان الأشخاص جائعين. ماذا سيحدث بمجرد أن تمتلئ؟ طلب الباحثون من أعضاء المجموعة غير المعتادة تناول وجبة كاملة حتى لم يعودوا يعانون من الجوع. ثم عادوا إلى المهمة. هذه المرة ، عندما ضغط الأشخاص على الزر الموجود على الجهاز ، تم تقليل تنشيط قشرة الفص الجبهي البطني. لم يكن المشاركون جائعين ، لذا فإن المكافأة المتوقعة من تناول M&M أو شريحة الذرة كانت ضئيلة. خفضت قشرة الفص الجبهي البطني من قيمة المكافأة للطعام الخفيف لتثبيط المزيد من الاستهلاك.
تم اختبار مجموعة العادة بعد ذلك. في الحالة الأولى ، عندما كانوا جائعين ، أظهرت القشرة الأمامية الجبهية البطنية الخاصة بهم إشارة استباقية أثناء الضغط على الزر ، مما يشير إلى أن أدمغتهم أعطت مكافأة عالية للطعام. بعد ذلك ، تناول المشاركون وجبة كبيرة. بمجرد أن يشبعوا ، عادت مجموعة العادات إلى المهمة. شرعوا في الضغط على الزر مرة أخرى حيث واصل المجربون مراقبة نشاط أدمغتهم. هذه المرة ، كشفت نتائج التصوير بالرنين المغناطيسي الوظيفي أن نشاط قشرة الفص الجبهي البطني كان قوياً كما كان عندما كان الأشخاص لا يزالون يتمتعون بشهيتهم. لم يتم تخفيض قيمة المكافأة المتوقعة للوجبة الخفيفة ، على الرغم من أنهم كانت ممتلئين . تم كسر حلقة التغذية الراجعة. على ما يبدو ، لأن الأشخاص كانوا يضغطون على الزر ويأكلون الوجبة الخفيفة بدافع العادة ، فشلت أدمغتهم في ثنيهم عن الاستمرار في تناول الطعام. في الواقع ، من خلال الحفاظ على إشارة المكافأة ، كانت قشرة الفص الجبهي البطني تعزز بشكل إيجابي سلوك الأكل دون الشعور بالجوع. أدى تطور العادة إلى تغيير فعل الأكل من شيء يعتمد على الحاجة إلى الغذاء وحوّله إلى شيء آلي.
.
Eliezer Sternberg
Neurologic
Translated By #Maher_Razouk
.
.
عندما يتولى نظام العادة السيطرة ، فإن قدرتنا على استرداد المعلومات المخزنة في الذاكرة العرضية تتعرض للخطر. تخزن الذاكرة العرضية المعرفة السياقية التي تساعد في اتخاذ القرار ، سواء كان ذلك إدراكًا لموقعنا أو فكرة أننا يجب أن ندير مهمة. وتشمل هذه المعرفة أيضًا جميع أسباب الامتناع عن الأكل عندما لا نكون جائعين. قد يكون من بين هذه الأسباب القلق من زيادة الوزن ، أو القلق بشأن حالتنا الصحية ، أو مجرد الشعور بالامتلاء الذي يجعل تناول الطعام غير ضروري. ومع ذلك ، فمن الشائع جدًا بالنسبة لنا أن نأكل عندما لا نشعر بالجوع ، وهو سلوك يتفق عليه معظمنا على أنه مجرد "عادة سيئة" ، لكن لا أحد يعني ذلك حرفيًا أو علميًا. ومع ذلك ، تظهر الأبحاث أن تناول الطعام عندما نشبع يتم التحكم فيه من خلال نظام العادات .
طُلب من 32 متطوعًا يتمتعون بصحة جيدة الجلوس أمام شاشة الكمبيوتر والضغط على زر كلما ظهرت صورة على الشاشة تشير إليهم للقيام بذلك. عندما ضغطوا على الزر ، أصدرت آلة بجانبهم إما شريحة ذرة Fritos أو M&M. كانوا يأكلون أي وجبة خفيفة تخرجها الآلة. قام نصف الأشخاص بهذه المهمة لمدة جلستين فقط مدة كل منهما ثماني دقائق ، بينما قام النصف الآخر باثنتي عشرة جلسة مدة كل منها ثماني دقائق. المجموعة الثانية لديها ستة أضعاف تمرين على المهمة أكثر من المجموعة الأولى وكان من المرجح أن تبدأ في النهاية بالضغط على الزر بعيدًا عن العادة. للتأكد من أن المجموعة الأولى لم تطور عادات والمجموعة الثانية فعلت ذلك ، راقب المجربون نشاط الدماغ لكلا المجموعتين. نظرًا لأن المخطط هو المكان الذي تتطور فيه العادات في الدماغ ، يمكن للقائمين بالتجربة تأكيد أن المجموعة الثانية (المجموعة التي تلقت مزيدًا من الممارسة) قد طورت عادات لأنها أظهرت زيادة كبيرة في تنشيط المخطط بنهاية تدريبهم . سنطلق على هذه المجموعة مجموعة العادات والمجموعة الأولى مجموعة غير المعتادة .
لتحديد كيفية تأثير تطور العادات على سلوكنا الغذائي ، كان الباحثون مهتمين بنشاط منطقة معينة من الدماغ تُعرف باسم قشرة الفص الجبهي البطني ، وتقع في الجزء الأوسط السفلي من الفص الجبهي. تتمثل الوظيفة الرئيسية لهذه المنطقة في توقع قيمة حدث متوقع. هذا مهم في مسار المكافأة في الدماغ ، والذي يدير التعزيز الإيجابي والسلبي للسلوك. على سبيل المثال ، عندما تجلس جائعًا في مطعم ويقترب النادل من المائدة بأطباق من الطعام ، تبدأ الألعاب النارية العصبية في الدماغ تحسباً للوجبة. قشرة الفص الجبهي البطني هي إحدى المناطق الرئيسية التي تساهم في هذه الإثارة. إنه يرتفع كلما توقعت أن تجربة معينة ستؤدي إلى مكافأة عالية. هذا يسمح بالتعزيز الإيجابي لأنه يشجعنا على الاستمرار في فعل السلوك المعني. لذلك ، عندما ننتظر بفارغ الصبر وضع طبق الطعام أمامنا ، فإن قشرة الفص الجبهي البطني ت��طلق ، لأنها تكتشف المكافأة العالية. ومع ذلك ، بمجرد أن نكون ممتلئين ، تتضاءل الاستجابة إلى حد كبير. إذا أحضر النادل طبقًا آخر من الطعام ، فإن القشرة الأمامية الجبهية البطنية بالكاد ستستجيب على الإطلاق. الاستجابة المنخفضة تقلل من قيمة تجربة الأكل ، مما يثنينا عن الاستمرار في تناول الطعام. يعتقد العلماء كذلك أن المناطق المجاورة في قشرة الفص الجبهي تمنع الشعور بالجوع المتولد في منطقة ما تحت المهاد. لذلك ، تشارك قشرة الفص الجبهي البطني في حلقة التغذية الراجعة. إنها تعزز بشكل إيجابي الأكل عندما نشعر بالجوع ، ولكن فعل الأكل هذا يتسبب في النهاية في ثني قشرة الفص الجبهي البطني عن الأكل وإدراك أننا ممتلئون.
أراد الباحثون مقارنة استجابات قشرة الفص الجبهي البطني في مجموعة العادات والمجموعة غير المعتادة. في المجموعة غير المعتادة ، تم تنشيط قشرة الفص الجبهي البطني قبل كل ضغطة على الزر تحسباً لتناول وجبة خفيفة ، مما شجعهم على تناول الطعام. ولكن كان ذلك بينما كان الأشخاص جائعين. ماذا سيحدث بمجرد أن تمتلئ؟ طلب الباحثون من أعضاء المجموعة غير المعتادة تناول وجبة كاملة حتى لم يعودوا يعانون من الجوع. ثم عادوا إلى المهمة. هذه المرة ، عندما ضغط الأشخاص على الزر الموجود على الجهاز ، تم تقليل تنشيط قشرة الفص الجبهي البطني. لم يكن المشاركون جائعين ، لذا فإن المكافأة المتوقعة من تناول M&M أو شريحة الذرة كانت ضئيلة. خفضت قشرة الفص الجبهي البطني من قيمة المكافأة للطعام الخفيف لتثبيط المزيد من الاستهلاك.
تم اختبار مجموعة العادة بعد ذلك. في الحالة الأولى ، عندما كانوا جائعين ، أظهرت القشرة الأمامية الجبهية البطنية الخاصة بهم إشارة استباقية أثناء الضغط على الزر ، مما يشير إلى أن أدمغتهم أعطت مكافأة عالية للطعام. بعد ذلك ، تناول المشاركون وجبة كبيرة. بمجرد أن يشبعوا ، عادت مجموعة العادات إلى المهمة. شرعوا في الضغط على الزر مرة أخرى حيث واصل المجربون مراقبة نشاط أدمغتهم. هذه المرة ، كشفت نتائج التصوير بالرنين المغناطيسي الوظيفي أن نشاط قشرة الفص الجبهي البطني كان قوياً كما كان عندما كان الأشخاص لا يزالون يتمتعون بشهيتهم. لم يتم تخفيض قيمة المكافأة المتوقعة للوجبة الخفيفة ، على الرغم من أنهم كانت ممتلئين . تم كسر حلقة التغذية الراجعة. على ما يبدو ، لأن الأشخاص كانوا يضغطون على الزر ويأكلون الوجبة الخفيفة بدافع العادة ، فشلت أدمغتهم في ثنيهم عن الاستمرار في تناول الطعام. في الواقع ، من خلال الحفاظ على إشارة المكافأة ، كانت قشرة الفص الجبهي البطني تعزز بشكل إيجابي سلوك الأكل دون الشعور بالجوع. أدى تطور العادة إلى تغيير فعل الأكل من شيء يعتمد على الحاجة إلى الغذاء وحوّله إلى شيء آلي.
.
Eliezer Sternberg
Neurologic
Translated By #Maher_Razouk
November 23, 2016
There is a peculiar problem with neuroscience just now, and NeuroLogic is able to dance over, under, and around it. The problem is that we are starting to learn just enough about how the brain (not just the mind) works, to be dangerous. Previously, attempts such as phrenology to use what was known about the brain to form opinions about human behavior, were so comically off-base as to be relatively easy to debunk. Now, we have learned enough about certain phenomena such as schizophrenics hearing voices, phantom limb pain, multiple personalities, and so forth, that we could plausibly have some useful insights into these maladies that came from analysis of the brain as a physical organ, rather than just from introspection or other mind-based methods such as talk therapy.
But, we don't really, truly know enough to be making many important decisions based on brain science yet. For example, what (if anything) the significance of "mirror neurons" is, is itself a topic of somewhat fierce debate among the best informed neuroscientists. How to interpret fMRI brain scans, for a given individual, is so far from consensus that it should not be used for anything other than basic research. Yet, we find that society is not always willing to wait for scientists to come to a firm conclusion on a topic, before it begins to apply what is known. As has often been said, it's not what we don't know that is most dangerous, it is what we know that isn't actually true. Scientists may wish that criminal court cases were not seeing brain scans admitted as evidence, but they are not able to actually prevent it.
Given the state of neuroscience today, it is important for people like Sternberg, a resident neurologist at Yale-New Haven Hospital, to take the time to make a book like NeuroLogic for the rest of us. It is very good at connecting every bit of brain science covered, to more immediately relatable topics such as why I can remember where I live to drive home, but cannot remember to pick up a gallon of milk at the grocery store on the way. Or, why we can remember things that never happened. Or, why yawning is contagious. Or, why mentally practicing (i.e. imagining) a physical action (such as a golf stroke or playing the piano) can make us actually do it better.
Sternberg does not hesitate to use a diagram, chart, or picture when it will help, and he doesn't overwhelm us with latin names for the different brain areas. He also knows how to weave less common behaviors such as memories of alien abduction, into the thread of the book, to help illustrate the central concepts.
Of course, I cannot evaluate how good or bad Sternberg's technical acumen is. To an interested layman like me, he sounds like he knows what he's talking about. He also cites a lot of other basic research in support of his viewpoint, and he is ready to admit where the available evidence leaves room for doubt (e.g. mirror neurons, repressed memories). But as a highly readable look at the part of you that is more "you" than any other part, it's a great look at what is known, and what is not (yet?) known.
But, we don't really, truly know enough to be making many important decisions based on brain science yet. For example, what (if anything) the significance of "mirror neurons" is, is itself a topic of somewhat fierce debate among the best informed neuroscientists. How to interpret fMRI brain scans, for a given individual, is so far from consensus that it should not be used for anything other than basic research. Yet, we find that society is not always willing to wait for scientists to come to a firm conclusion on a topic, before it begins to apply what is known. As has often been said, it's not what we don't know that is most dangerous, it is what we know that isn't actually true. Scientists may wish that criminal court cases were not seeing brain scans admitted as evidence, but they are not able to actually prevent it.
Given the state of neuroscience today, it is important for people like Sternberg, a resident neurologist at Yale-New Haven Hospital, to take the time to make a book like NeuroLogic for the rest of us. It is very good at connecting every bit of brain science covered, to more immediately relatable topics such as why I can remember where I live to drive home, but cannot remember to pick up a gallon of milk at the grocery store on the way. Or, why we can remember things that never happened. Or, why yawning is contagious. Or, why mentally practicing (i.e. imagining) a physical action (such as a golf stroke or playing the piano) can make us actually do it better.
Sternberg does not hesitate to use a diagram, chart, or picture when it will help, and he doesn't overwhelm us with latin names for the different brain areas. He also knows how to weave less common behaviors such as memories of alien abduction, into the thread of the book, to help illustrate the central concepts.
Of course, I cannot evaluate how good or bad Sternberg's technical acumen is. To an interested layman like me, he sounds like he knows what he's talking about. He also cites a lot of other basic research in support of his viewpoint, and he is ready to admit where the available evidence leaves room for doubt (e.g. mirror neurons, repressed memories). But as a highly readable look at the part of you that is more "you" than any other part, it's a great look at what is known, and what is not (yet?) known.
February 7, 2017
Fascinating for people who have no background in abnormal psychology, this book tours brain disorders to learn more about the logic of the unconscious and the "self". If you do have a psychology background, some of the stories are old hat (for example, the author discusses the Stroop effect at length) but also brings up more current info about experiments that you may not know (like how the Stroop effect is lessened during hypnosis, and what that implies towards dissociative disorder and conversion disorder). The overall effect is that through learning about the disorders, you get particular insight into how the brain functions, how the personal narrative of a person is important, and what that means towards a meaning of self. Highly recommended.
December 6, 2019
Öykücü Beyin ve bu kitabı bir arada okursanız beyinle ilgili birçok sır elinize geçer. Bilimin ışığından ayrılmadan beynin büyüsünü gösteren muhteşem bir kitap.
March 13, 2016
This has to be one of the most readable and informative works on this subject ever written. Thankfully, Sternberg doesn't over-simplify in his effort to make this readable for the layman and the sheer amount of detail is incredibly stimulating. He is extremely thorough but moves through all of this material at a perfect pace. I had to read in one sitting I was so hooked, absolutely required reading for anyone interested in the workings of the brain/mind.
February 9, 2020
Beyinin çalışması ardındaki gizemi çıkarmaya çalışan ve her sonuçu sorgulayan sorular soran çoğunlukla akıcı bir dille yazılmış şaşırtıcı bir referans kitabı. Eğer ki David Eagleman'in Beyin'i sevip daha derinlere inmek isterseniz Sternberg'in bu kitabı size fazlasını verecektir.
February 6, 2023
It was very interesting to read about these various absurdities the brain fall into, healthy or otherwise, and I think that the appeal and conciseness of how they're talked about here is really all the appeal you need to read this, although I will add that the book was pretty readable. Occasionally parts of it would just kinda be "these researchers proved a theory that is basically the same exact theory these other researchers we already read about already proved", but even then, it's still neat to see slightly different ways the things talked about are affecting life. It feels unjust to give this book less than five stars, at least from someone who is new to the psychology/neurology field.
August 27, 2022
I’m typically not very much of a non-fiction reader, but this book has convinced me to continue to seek out more works exploring the world of psychology. Even though I read this for a school assignment, I thoroughly enjoyed it and found it easy to understand and it steadily maintained my attention through its ever-changing topics and subtle humor. I’d love to read more from the author. Highly recommend to those interested in abnormal psychology.
September 26, 2021
Fascinating look at the marvelous thing within our skulls. Sternberg writes in a straightforward way, and uses case studies to make his points. Some examples could've probably been omitted for conciseness, but it still is a good read!
September 28, 2022
Это было интересное чтение. Но почему не высшая оценка:
- книга создаёт ощущение, что все загадки мозга можно решить с помощью аппарата МРТ. Измерил активность разных областей мозга - вот и ответ. Это, конечно, не так, и автор говорит об этом у в последней главе - но так пока до нее дочитаешь;
- во время чтения кажется, что нейрологические отклонения (галлюцинации, и пр.) - это весело и интересно. Интересно - да. Но отнюдь не весело. В этом смысле мне гораздо ближе книга Оливера Сакса;
- и ссылки, как хотелось бы ссылок на приведенные исследования...
- книга создаёт ощущение, что все загадки мозга можно решить с помощью аппарата МРТ. Измерил активность разных областей мозга - вот и ответ. Это, конечно, не так, и автор говорит об этом у в последней главе - но так пока до нее дочитаешь;
- во время чтения кажется, что нейрологические отклонения (галлюцинации, и пр.) - это весело и интересно. Интересно - да. Но отнюдь не весело. В этом смысле мне гораздо ближе книга Оливера Сакса;
- и ссылки, как хотелось бы ссылок на приведенные исследования...
August 9, 2025
merak ettiğim çoğu şeyin cevabı bu kitapta var körlerin rüyaları, hipnozla işlenen cinayetler, bulaşıcı esneme gibi konular.. çoğumuzun aklını kurcalayan şeyleri gayet açıklayıcı anlatıyor okumak baya keyifli özellikle nöropsikolojiye yüklenilen bölümler hoşuma gitti
July 28, 2017
I really enjoyed reading this book, especially as it explained in a very easy-to-follow manner how the brain works. Sternberg obviously put a lot of research into this book, and his use of case studies made it much more attainable to understand the different neurological diseases described in the book. There were loads of interesting facts as well, and my favorite was learning that schizophrenic patients have the ability to tickle themselves!
March 23, 2017
Good book to read during 9h flight. Short and fascinating.
July 5, 2021
Dr. Eliezer Sternberg has written a fascinating account of the peculiar logic modern imaging techniques have revealed in the machinations of the human brain. He categorizes the brain as being comprised of two distinct yet interwoven systems--a conscious system and an unconscious one. Using case studies of patients who exhibit puzzling symptoms, he guides readers to understand how seemingly irrational behaviors seem to stem from within the brain itself as it tries to make sense of the self, the world, and the millions of interactions, stimuli, and experiences each person has during life.
This informative book was not an easy read. To his credit, the author reveals reasons for "neuro-logic" by examining a "secret order" inherent in certain brain disorders. Each chapter opens with a tantalizing question, such as "Can Your Imagination Make You a Better Athlete?" and "Why Can't Split Personalities Share Prescription Glasses?" The answers may surprise you, as they did me!
I'd recommend this book to anyone who wonders about the mysterious workings of the brain. But Sternberg's goal is not to reveal the healthy brain's day-to-day tasks of keeping us alive and well, but how we might better understand some of the weirder behaviors and conditions created by the brain's own internal structures and processes.
This informative book was not an easy read. To his credit, the author reveals reasons for "neuro-logic" by examining a "secret order" inherent in certain brain disorders. Each chapter opens with a tantalizing question, such as "Can Your Imagination Make You a Better Athlete?" and "Why Can't Split Personalities Share Prescription Glasses?" The answers may surprise you, as they did me!
I'd recommend this book to anyone who wonders about the mysterious workings of the brain. But Sternberg's goal is not to reveal the healthy brain's day-to-day tasks of keeping us alive and well, but how we might better understand some of the weirder behaviors and conditions created by the brain's own internal structures and processes.
April 22, 2016
Great book! Very useful for us Psych 101 students. I wish I had read this before class started! The author includes many interesting case studies and the back of the book includes extremely helpful diagrams of the brain and it's many parts.
If you are planning on taking Intro Psychology this year read this book first. You will have a head start on all the material!
If you are planning on taking Intro Psychology this year read this book first. You will have a head start on all the material!
May 21, 2016
This was actually a lot of fun.
April 11, 2023
great book honestly was like a whole overview of my degree.. don’t get a psyc degree just read this book
March 9, 2018
NeuroLogic: The Brain's Hidden Rationale Behind Our Irrational Behavior
Book by Eliezer J. Sternberg
NeuroLogic covers a broad range of interesting brian habits. This book gives you curious hypothetical situations and digs into the brain’s behavior. The book answers questions like, what do the blind see in their dreams? Why do schizophrenics hear voices? And can you hypnotize someone to murder? The information is page turning and written for dummies who know little about the brain. Sometimes I came upon information that I already knew, for example; the idea that watching an action helps that action in real life. I was expecting a boring chapter, but instead I was surprised to find that I wasn’t bored, the information was presented so in-depth and simple that I was still turning pages with the same enthusiasm. The way the information is presented in this book is probably the most effective for a interesting and fun read. I felt like a neuroscientist after finishing this book.
For those not interested in neuroscience this book could be really boring. The topic is very black and white, you either are into it or you're daydreaming while you should be reading. Sure the information is interesting but for some it would be better to read something a little more worthwhile. The tone in this book isn’t like an novel, its an essay. This book is for people who want the information it gives. Personally for me it was a great read. New information appearing on every page. That information being explained in a exciting way made this book great for me. The information in this book gave me an insight on the neuroscience field. I originally got this book because I was interested in neurology. And for people with a yearning for information on neuroscience I can’t recommend another book. This book gives you the ins and outs of neurology.
My final conclusion: this book caters to a very specific group and the information presented is the quality of the book. I would be interested into how a expert in the field of neuroscience perceives the information presented. But for someone whose understanding hails from a high school biology class you will be pleased with the information presented. This book changed the way I think about daily tasks. In fact any piece of information from this book, I believe, can be applied to an everyday task. I will give two sets of ratings for this book one for me and one for the general public who might think reading a book like this as a task. For me, 4 out of 5 for the read (essay format writing can get a little boring for me) and 5 out of 5 for the information. For others perhaps a 2.5 for the read and a 5 out of 5 for the information. The information goes along with the read, if the read is bad then the information is disregarded, it won’t matter anymore. That is my review on Eliezer J. Sternberg’s NeuroLogic: The Brain's Hidden Rationale Behind Our Irrational Behavior.
Book by Eliezer J. Sternberg
NeuroLogic covers a broad range of interesting brian habits. This book gives you curious hypothetical situations and digs into the brain’s behavior. The book answers questions like, what do the blind see in their dreams? Why do schizophrenics hear voices? And can you hypnotize someone to murder? The information is page turning and written for dummies who know little about the brain. Sometimes I came upon information that I already knew, for example; the idea that watching an action helps that action in real life. I was expecting a boring chapter, but instead I was surprised to find that I wasn’t bored, the information was presented so in-depth and simple that I was still turning pages with the same enthusiasm. The way the information is presented in this book is probably the most effective for a interesting and fun read. I felt like a neuroscientist after finishing this book.
For those not interested in neuroscience this book could be really boring. The topic is very black and white, you either are into it or you're daydreaming while you should be reading. Sure the information is interesting but for some it would be better to read something a little more worthwhile. The tone in this book isn’t like an novel, its an essay. This book is for people who want the information it gives. Personally for me it was a great read. New information appearing on every page. That information being explained in a exciting way made this book great for me. The information in this book gave me an insight on the neuroscience field. I originally got this book because I was interested in neurology. And for people with a yearning for information on neuroscience I can’t recommend another book. This book gives you the ins and outs of neurology.
My final conclusion: this book caters to a very specific group and the information presented is the quality of the book. I would be interested into how a expert in the field of neuroscience perceives the information presented. But for someone whose understanding hails from a high school biology class you will be pleased with the information presented. This book changed the way I think about daily tasks. In fact any piece of information from this book, I believe, can be applied to an everyday task. I will give two sets of ratings for this book one for me and one for the general public who might think reading a book like this as a task. For me, 4 out of 5 for the read (essay format writing can get a little boring for me) and 5 out of 5 for the information. For others perhaps a 2.5 for the read and a 5 out of 5 for the information. The information goes along with the read, if the read is bad then the information is disregarded, it won’t matter anymore. That is my review on Eliezer J. Sternberg’s NeuroLogic: The Brain's Hidden Rationale Behind Our Irrational Behavior.
March 20, 2019
An amazingly written and fascinating book! I bought this on an impulse and it turned out be a gem.
Deep with insights and rich with information, palpable and palatable with a question-answer type detailed narrative helps the reader slowly go through complex concepts of neuroscience with ease and awe at the same time.
The author starts with question like what do blind people see in their dreams, what are dreams actually are anyway, and then moves on to how athletes/musicians use mental simulations; which really work, how we can manifest wrong memories and actually believe in them, what do people actually see when they see God, why people report of alien abductions, whose voices do schizophrenics hear. Finally he ends it with what are multiple personality disorders and how some of them can make themselves blind/paralyzed when their eyes and limbs are absolutely healthy. And there are a lot more interesting takes in between and how everything is tied together, tonne of new information to grasp and gawk at.
Although, based on all the latest research in neuroscience that is available until now, the author also admits about the limitations of the technology and non-feasibility of certain possibilities. He brings those up and guides the reader to think rationaly where there are doubts.
A must read if you're fascinated and spellbound by the mystery of the brain, its importance and its power over human behavior.
Deep with insights and rich with information, palpable and palatable with a question-answer type detailed narrative helps the reader slowly go through complex concepts of neuroscience with ease and awe at the same time.
The author starts with question like what do blind people see in their dreams, what are dreams actually are anyway, and then moves on to how athletes/musicians use mental simulations; which really work, how we can manifest wrong memories and actually believe in them, what do people actually see when they see God, why people report of alien abductions, whose voices do schizophrenics hear. Finally he ends it with what are multiple personality disorders and how some of them can make themselves blind/paralyzed when their eyes and limbs are absolutely healthy. And there are a lot more interesting takes in between and how everything is tied together, tonne of new information to grasp and gawk at.
Although, based on all the latest research in neuroscience that is available until now, the author also admits about the limitations of the technology and non-feasibility of certain possibilities. He brings those up and guides the reader to think rationaly where there are doubts.
A must read if you're fascinated and spellbound by the mystery of the brain, its importance and its power over human behavior.
April 7, 2019
In this book, Eliezer Sternberg continues his quest to unravel the mysteries of the "black box" of our "self", this time focusing on how it is given form through the interaction of the conscious and subconscious systems of our brain. The title of the book here refers to the logic underlying the subconscious, and how it can work in sometimes bizarre and puzzling ways in order to ensure the perpetuation of our personal story, and, thus, our "self".
Dr. Sternberg elucidates the workings of this "neurologic" by drawing upon various curious neurological cases, using them as focal points to delve deeper inside the mysteries of the human mind. It is a very interesting read altogether, but it did leave me faintly unsatisfied. Firstly, the topic isn't well-defined enough and the book lacks clear structure, which has made it feel meandering at times in my opinion. Also, since the neurosciences have not yet advanced to the stage where a clear answer can be given to the central question of the book, it ultimately feels like it didn't fulfill what it had set out to do.
In other words, the journey through these pages will offer you exciting insights into the human brain and its secrets, offer food for thought and dangle tantalizing questions and possible approximations of answers to them before you, but the beauty here definitely lies in the sights and smells along the way rather than the destination.
Dr. Sternberg elucidates the workings of this "neurologic" by drawing upon various curious neurological cases, using them as focal points to delve deeper inside the mysteries of the human mind. It is a very interesting read altogether, but it did leave me faintly unsatisfied. Firstly, the topic isn't well-defined enough and the book lacks clear structure, which has made it feel meandering at times in my opinion. Also, since the neurosciences have not yet advanced to the stage where a clear answer can be given to the central question of the book, it ultimately feels like it didn't fulfill what it had set out to do.
In other words, the journey through these pages will offer you exciting insights into the human brain and its secrets, offer food for thought and dangle tantalizing questions and possible approximations of answers to them before you, but the beauty here definitely lies in the sights and smells along the way rather than the destination.
August 31, 2019
Have you ever wondered what someone might dream of if they were blind? Would they see anything? How about zombies? Could they drive to work? Can we remember things that never actually happened?
All of these questions, and much, much more are thoroughly answered and explored in Dr. Eliezer J. Sternberg’s, “Neurologic: The Brain’s Hidden Rationale Behind Our Irrational Behavior.”
“Neurologic: The Brain’s Hidden Rationale Behind Our Irrational Behavior” is the fascinating investigation of the neurological components to strange behaviors.
Throughout the book, Sternberg explores various cases and studies about blindness, memory, athleticism, hallucinations, schizophrenia, hypnosis, and dissociative identity disorder.
Each chapter explores a variety of possible solutions by giving examples of similar cases before tying everything together into a cohesive answer and leading into the next chapter.
The author takes complex subjects and explains them in a way that’s entertaining, digestible, and honestly riveting. “Neurologic” is a brilliant break down of the brain’s conscious and unconscious systems for the casual brain-nerd.
I’d highly recommend giving this book a gander, regardless of whether you’re a neurologist, neuroscience or psychology major, or someone who just thinks science is pretty cool.
Overall? I’d give "Neurologic" 4.8 out of 5 brains.
Full review: here.
All of these questions, and much, much more are thoroughly answered and explored in Dr. Eliezer J. Sternberg’s, “Neurologic: The Brain’s Hidden Rationale Behind Our Irrational Behavior.”
“Neurologic: The Brain’s Hidden Rationale Behind Our Irrational Behavior” is the fascinating investigation of the neurological components to strange behaviors.
Throughout the book, Sternberg explores various cases and studies about blindness, memory, athleticism, hallucinations, schizophrenia, hypnosis, and dissociative identity disorder.
Each chapter explores a variety of possible solutions by giving examples of similar cases before tying everything together into a cohesive answer and leading into the next chapter.
The author takes complex subjects and explains them in a way that’s entertaining, digestible, and honestly riveting. “Neurologic” is a brilliant break down of the brain’s conscious and unconscious systems for the casual brain-nerd.
I’d highly recommend giving this book a gander, regardless of whether you’re a neurologist, neuroscience or psychology major, or someone who just thinks science is pretty cool.
Overall? I’d give "Neurologic" 4.8 out of 5 brains.
Full review: here.
January 11, 2025
"İnsan olarak çevremizdeki dünyanın düzenini, örgütlenmesini ve dünya üzerindeki yerimizi anlamaya gereksinim duyarız. İhtiyaçlarımız ve arzularımız üzerine kafa yormak, hedefler koyup onları gerçekleştirmemizi sağlayacak planlar yapmak için her birimiz kişisel tarihimizin farkında olmak, üzerinde derinlemesine düşünmek ve kendimize dair içgörü geliştirmek zorundayız. Hafıza kayıpları, algılarımız ya da düşünmemizdeki boşluklar, deneyimimizdeki çelişkiler, dış müdahaleler - bunların hepsi kişisel anlatımızı tehdit eder ve beyin onu korumaya çabalar. Bilinçdışı sistem benliğin birliğini ve sürekliliğini korur ve bunu güvence altına almak için ne gerekirse yapar."
Kitaptan yaptığım bu alıntı aslında bu kitabın temelde bize vermek istediği mesajı içeriyor. Beynin iki sistemi (bilinçdışı ve bilinçli) sürekli bizi günlük yaşama adapte etmeye uğraşır. bu adaptasyon sürecinde bir sürü hata veriyor beynimiz. bu hataları mantıklı veya mantıksız olsun bir örüntüye dönüştürmek için uğraşıyor bilinçdışı sistem. Ve biz arka planda bunlar yaşanırken hayata tutunmaya çalışıyoruz. Kitap işte bu hataların nasıl olabileceğini, oluşan hataların nörolojik temellerine ışık tutmak için vaka örnekleriyle bizi aydınlatıyor. İlginç vakalar ilgin sendromlar. Henüz bu alanda okuma yapmayanlar için çok yeni şeyler gelebilir ama belli bir okuma yaptıysanız tanıdık gelecektir size. Yine de okumak keyif verici.
Kitaptan yaptığım bu alıntı aslında bu kitabın temelde bize vermek istediği mesajı içeriyor. Beynin iki sistemi (bilinçdışı ve bilinçli) sürekli bizi günlük yaşama adapte etmeye uğraşır. bu adaptasyon sürecinde bir sürü hata veriyor beynimiz. bu hataları mantıklı veya mantıksız olsun bir örüntüye dönüştürmek için uğraşıyor bilinçdışı sistem. Ve biz arka planda bunlar yaşanırken hayata tutunmaya çalışıyoruz. Kitap işte bu hataların nasıl olabileceğini, oluşan hataların nörolojik temellerine ışık tutmak için vaka örnekleriyle bizi aydınlatıyor. İlginç vakalar ilgin sendromlar. Henüz bu alanda okuma yapmayanlar için çok yeni şeyler gelebilir ama belli bir okuma yaptıysanız tanıdık gelecektir size. Yine de okumak keyif verici.
August 18, 2022
This one was out of my comfort zone, which is precisely why I decided to take it on. I'm definitely more of a right-brain person (ha-ha), but I want to make a conscious effort to explore topics outside of my typical field of study, an endeavor NeuroLogic made very enjoyable. This book has truly grown my interest in neuroscience, neurology, and cognitive behavioral science; Sternberg successfully crafted a book about a contentious topic -- consciousness and unconsciousness in the brain -- comprehensive to a variety of audiences, particularly those, like me, unfamiliar with this field, its intricate concepts, and its challenging terminology. I'm grateful a book like this exists and that it found its way to me. Regardless of who you are and what your educational background is, you will find that NeuroLogic gives us profound insights into ourselves, bringing us one step closer to figuring out the nature of our collective humanity.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews