Psychology in the Bathroom

by Nick Haslam

Presenting cutting-edge science in a playful manner, this exploration of a topic that has been veiled by taboo, the psychology of excretion, surveys an assortment of embarrassing processes, shameful disorders and disgusting habits taking the reader on a tour of the history and literature of elimination.

Genres: Psychology

182 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting book. I don't know what to make of it yet, but probably will in the future.

In essence, the author look at how bathroom usage in the public specifically and drew various insight from it, for instance it's associated with cleanliness (and often also associated with disgust) as a way to enforce social order (avoiding teaching the public the diffucult understanding of germ theory). And with cleanliness, it also enforces the de facto human hierarchy system (often purity demands more social capital capital than unclean people, who are often labeled as underclassmen). The author also noted that bathroom behavior, due to occurring during human's most vulnerable state, encourages the society to set a specific porotocal for usage and discourage other behaviors. Lastly it's also a stage where social persona is dropped altogether.

Again, still don't know what to make of this book other than it's interesting.

[dwillsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

the book - more accurately titled 'the psychology of excretion' - was OK, and includes chapters such as 'the irritable bowel', 'the nervous bladder', 'on flatulence', 'the anal character', 'potty mouth' i.e swearing, 'toilet graffiti' and 'seat up or down'. But overall, just not as interesting as the title or chapter headings suggest.