Book Description

The old man isn't just anyone. In fact, professors familiar with previous editions of this book may conclude that he is related to those extraterrestrials Kongor and Kro, who so successfully guided students through the maze of historic and current theories that help us understand how humans learn. And, wise as he is, the old man does the job even more effectively than his predecessors in this Fourth Edition of THEORIES OF HUMAN LEARNING: WHAT THE OLD MAN SAID.Both a serious academic text and a delightful story, this book offers a clear, readable look at a full range of learning theories?from behavioristic to cognitive?examining memory and motivation, and concluding with a comprehensive synthesis. Its most apparent strength is its easily accessible style, but its greatest value lies in the clarity of its concepts. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Human Learning
I liked the book a lot.It gives great examples and I do not have a hard time reading it.The examples are explanatory and I would recommend this book to others for their knowledge of learning. ... Read more

Book Description

Although researchers have long been aware that the species-typical architecture of the human mind is the product of our evolutionary history, it has only been in the last three decades that advances in such fields as evolutionary biology, cognitive psychology, and paleoanthropology have made the fact of our evolution illuminating. Converging findings from a variety of disciplines are leading to the emergence of a fundamentally new view of the human mind, and with it a new framework for the behavioral and social sciences.First, with the advent of the cognitive revolution, human nature can finally be defined precisely as the set of universal, species-typical information-processing programs that operate beneath the surface of expressed cultural variability. Second, this collection of cognitive programs evolved in the Pleistocene to solve the adaptive problems regularly faced by our hunter-gatherer ancestors--problems such as mate selection, language acquisition, cooperation, and sexual infidelity. Consequently, the traditional view of the mind as a general-purpose computer, tabula rasa, or passive recipient of culture is being replaced by the view that the mind resembles an intricate network of functionally specialized computers, each of which imposes contentful structure on human mental organization and culture.The Adapted Mind explores this new approach--evolutionary psychology--and its implications for a new view of culture. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

A watershed work!
It would be difficult to exaggerate the importance and uniqueness of this work. It is without question, the most comprehensive, most authoritative, most timely, most compelling, most interdisciplinary book ever written on the topic of evolutionary psychology. Practically all the major exponents of this new science are presented and accounted for (Buss, Symons, Daly & Wilson, Tooby & Cosmides, Barkow and Kaplan). In addition, many qualified and distinguished experts in other fields have made valuable supporting contributions (McGrew, Shepard and Fernald). It already stands as a classic in the field of evolutionary psychology and is destined to be a watershed in the development of psychological thought. However, readers beware: this book is not a light, bedside read. It is dense, scholarly reading. Although enjoyable, it is not appropriate for a lay audience looking for pop-psychology. But if you are a social scientists or serious reader who wishes to know what evolutionary psychology is about, there is simply no other book to read. My only question is when can we look forward to a second volume?

More Tooby & Cosmides, please
I was prompted to respond by the review from the individual in Virginia. He or she didn't like the Tooby & Cosmides chapters whereas I feel they were by far the most interesting chapters in the book. Reading their long essay (Chapter 2)is one of the best favors psychologists can do for themselves. Being a psychology major, I know that I was often confused about psychology before reading it, but their combination of cognitive psychology with evolutionary biology finally gave me an idea of where psychology should be going in the future. If only social psychologists and domain-general cognitive psychologists would read it, their research and approach might not be so sterile and boring. My only regret is that the book contained some chapters that were not as strong as the early chapters, but the importance of the good chapters greatly outweighs any weaknesses in the other ones.

Evolution from Several Vantages
This book is a massive tome on evolutionary factors that influence human behavior. It begins with clarification of the kind of Darwinism the authors appeal to, so that everyone is on the same page, and considers the general psychological foundations of Darwinism on culture.

The book then moves on to discuss cognitive adaptations for social exchange, citing human and non-human examples. The book also includes the evolutionary psychology of mating and sex, examining preferences for mate selection and competition, mechanisms for sexual attraction, and the evolutionary use of women as chattel (something any Old Testament and Quran reader can relate to).

A significant portion of the book is devoted to parental care and children, examining how pregnancy sickness, patterns between twins, maternal-infant vocalizations, and child play in the form of chasing each other are all evolutionary mechanisms that continue to be featured.

Steven Pinker adds an essay on natural language and natural selection; Roger Shepard contributes an essay on the man's perceptual adaptation to the natural world; both of which demonstrate the interconnectedness between perception, language, and adaptation.

The book concludes with some of its most esoteric issues: environmental aesthetics, intrapsychic processes, and the theoretical implications of culural phenomena.

The whole book, while not necessarily over-academic, is ultimately dense reading. Most of the concepts and conceptualizations require mental work to apprehend, while the statistics and empirical evidence are clearly described. While drawing from many disparate areas of evolutionary biology, all the essays find their ultimate significance in how the mind, in particular, has adapted to environmental forces. A demanding, but facinating, read.

A fresh start
The argument - and it is an argument - is that human behaviour is strongly influenced by evolved psychological mechanisms, and that those mechanisms are numerous and specific, rather than just one general learning mechanism - ie a human baby comes with an installed operating system and quite a lot of free software, and is definitely not a blank slate. What makes the argument persuasive is the attempt to import the scientific method - hypotheses falsifiable by experiment - to an area previously characterised by mumbojumbo and pseudoscience. Not all the attempts are successful, but as they say it's a start. 100 years late (for psychology) it is saying (a) the brain is an organ so it must have evolved too - let's think about it in a Darwinian fashion and (b) let's try to make pyschology a science not a humanity. It is potentially very offensive to existing psychology practitioners, because it implies that most existing psychologists are witch doctors. It is also very offensive to large bodies of public policy wonks (let's not beat about the bush here - in American speak this book is very offensive to liberal Democrats), essentially saying that most of the "science" behind social and educational policy has no foundation. And because it is polemical - it is shooting at a century of vested interests after all - it overstates its case in some places, although the writers are usually very careful to stress that while behavioural programmes may be partly pre installed, behaviour itself is not hardwired.

It was the start for me of looking at the way we think in a completely different light and led me to later, more detailed, more balanced statements of the case.

It is pretty hard going in places, particularly as they do rather tiresomely go out of their way trying to avoid giving direct offence, but they're not fooling anyone (not mss67 for a start.)But in reality they are yelling that the Emperor ("learning/nurture is all") has no clothes. For all its faults it's the book that has most influenced my thinking in the last 10 years, and definitely a five star performance.

Great work
Finally, a branch of psychology which does not use the standard psycho-babble which distorted our views of human-kind in the 20th century. ... Read more

Book Description

Designed to help problem solvers improve their streetsmarts, this hands-on guide examines the componentsof problem solving, and presents a series of graduatedexercises — drawn from a variety of industrial applications —to familiarize, reinforce, challenge, and stretch readers creativelyin the problem solving process.Leads readers step-by-stepthrough a complete problem-solving process — from encounteringan ill-defined problem to identifying the real problem, effectivelyexploring constraints, planning a robust approach, carryingit through to a viable solution, and then evaluating what has beenaccomplished. MARKETS: For students, new professionals, andpractitioners. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Lecturer and Engineer
I would highly recommend any engineering student to read this book. It is worthy to buy and keep it on your library.This will be one of many most useful books you have ever considered in your engineering career.

Fantastic Book: Not For Cry Babies
This is mainly a to stress that problems can be solved with an open minded approach such as the authors recommend. Unlike the cry baby whose essentially useless review shows that he has not and never will solve any real world problems. Probably a disgruntled ex student who got a D-.

Well organized, and entertaining intro to problem solving
This is a systematic and well organized introduction. I used it with managers and students not just engineers. What was important was not just to follow an algorithmic approach but to imbue a way of thinking. It simplyis not true that everyone has formed the discipline to use their mindfollowing these or similar heuristics. We may stumble on them naturally, Iagree. But for many people this is a useful revelation. In addition to thebook, they have produced software to engage you in learning the problemstrategies.Compared to many other books on the subject, this book hasenough real world examples and strategies that it is not just poppsychology or wishful thinking or one more brainstrom with web-likediagrams.

Surprisingly poor book considering the topic: Thinking!
I read about half of this book before setting it down in disgust.The book is targeted to working engineers that are confronted with unique challenges on regular occasion.As such, I would have expected the authorsto know a bit more about real word problem solving.

The authors basicallypostulate that any person, of any ability can solve any problem if theyemploy a problem solving heuristic.While a nice idea, and certainlypolitically correct, this is simply not the case.A good (adequate)engineer looks at a failed design or unique problem and without sittingdown in a group brainstorming session or plotting his creative solutionprocess on paper, she mentally decides what is important and then asks thenecessary questions, performs the necessary calcs, researches theappropriate topics, etc..I've never seen a talented engineer plot hisproblem solving approach on paper when confronted with a problem.Thoseengineers that actually employed a heuristic never solved the problemspresented to them and ultimately lost their jobs. Either you know yourmaterial or you don't. You're either creative or your not.You have astrong work ethic paying sufficient attention to detail, or you don't. Period.Exercises (like those that the authors suggest) to increase yourcapacity for creativity are foolish, unnecessary and ineffective.(If youdon't believe me, check out the book.You'll get a good laugh.)

Theauthors are clearly young academics that have no real information to offerthe public in this book.While I believe that they meant well, I trulybelieve that neither of them has actually ever solved a real problem andthey are therefor not qualified to sell a book on this topic.The accurateinformation that they do present is obvious to the most average of highschool students. Consequently, this material can hardly be used in anargument to redeem this book's worth.

One good thing about the book:Theauthors include quite a few real-world examples and case histories that areboth entertaining and insightful.The authors should have published acollection of these stories and omitted their useless dribble.(About 60%of the examples are useful.The remaining examples are over-simplifiedwith significant details omitted.The authors regularly neglect importantfactors including: economic factors, regulatory body concerns, availabilityof resources, and others when they cast blame on the problem solver.Thisfurther indicates that the authors read a lot, but don't actually have anybreadth of experience to draw upon)(If, indeed, the authors do have realproblem solving experience; then I wonder how effective they were inindustry.The way they tackled the problem of writing a book, I wouldn'thire either of them to sharpen my pencils.)

One last point to countertheir foolishness:As dangerous as it is to make assumptions when aproblem statement is sufficiently vague; it is the in-effective (andunemployed) engineer that doesn't draw upon his experiences to form areasonable set of assumptions.The engineer that does otherwise takesthree months to fold a drawing.I'd really like to see the author(s) workin the field; I need a good laugh. ... Read more

Book Description

Connecting the study of cognition to everyday life in an unprecedented way, Bruce Goldstein's COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY gives equal treatment to both the landmark studies and the cutting-edge research that define this fascinating field. The text employs a wealth of concrete examples and illustrations that will help students understand the theories of cognition -- driving home both the scientific importance of the theories and their relevance to students' daily lives. Students will leave this text with a true understanding of the "behind the scenes" activity that happens in the mind when humans do such seemingly simple activities as perceiving, remembering, or thinking. Goldstein's coverage also focuses on the behavioral and physiological approaches to cognition by including physiological materials in every chapter. To help students further experiment with the concepts discussed in the text, free pincode access to CogLab: The Online Cognitive Psychology Laboratory is automatically packaged with every new copy of the text. Students also automatically receive the Concept Maps with CogLab Online Manual. The manual includes 60 "Concept Maps," which present the major concepts in the text using a visual approach that will help students remember the material. ... Read more

Book Description

Dogs occupy a special position in human society. They were probably the first animal species to become domesticated, but their relationship with humans has always been ambivalent. Dogs form strong attachments to humans, even in the face of rejection and punishment, voluntarily allying themselves to us as faithful companions, uncomplaining child-substitutes, enduring workers, and excellent hunters and guards. Yet they are also reviled as vicious killers, unclean scavengers and outcasts. In this book, the many facets of dog behavior are set in the context of the dog's place in our society.Based on firm scientific research, the book dispells many myths and stereotypes about our canine friends, and it will be the definitive reference work on dog behavior for many years to come. Dog-lovers with an interest in understanding how and why dogs behave as they do will find this fascinating reading. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Excellent information painfully presented
If your memories of college give you migraines, the pain will return in reading these articles. The information is wonderful, but can be found in more enjoyable books. If, on the other hand, you enjoy reading professional journals, you will feel right at home with the jargon and format, and may find it worthwhile to have leading thoughts on domestication, genetics, and behavior all in one place.

A Serious Must for Serious Dog People
First published in 1995, nothing else as comprehensive and as carefully researched on canine behavior and development has been published. For the general reader, the writing style may be a bit dry; however, because each chapter has different authors, the writing style, while basically academic and fact driven, varies.

Any serious dog breeders, trainers, or owners will find themselves returning to certain chapters over and over again. Breeders and even new puppy owners would benefit from the chapter by Serpell and Jagoe on "Early experience and the development of behaviour," which updates the standard beliefs about puppy development resulting from the Bar Harbor experiments of over 50 years ago.

Excellent book!

The Domestic Dog, James Serpell (Ed.)
For those people hungry for scientific literature on dogs and curious about what other references there are on particular dog topics, this is a must read/must have text; almost every chapter serves as a review of the scientific literature on that topic. Those who don't care for reading anything drier than James Herriot's "All Creatures Great & Small" should avoid it.

The book is probably used as a text for graduate students and upper division majors in ethology, comparative psychology, zoology, etc. It was published in 1995 so most of the information is fairly current. The book is in its 5th printing so some professors must share my judgment of it. Let's hope that by 2005 there's a revised edition including and evaluating recent work.

It has 17 chapters written (or co-written) by 21 specialists in their fields -- British, American, Italian -- (after an introduction) divided into 3 major divisions: I. Domestication & evolution (2 chapters) ; II. Behaviour & behaviour problems (8 ch.s); III. Human-dog interactions (6 ch.s). The chapters provide an excellent summary and the key references to the area discussed. A few chapters have a definite British flavor but American readers will be able to transpose when needed.

Dog breeders (& many owners) may be especially interested in the chapters dealing with what's known about heritability of traits, temperament, etc., as well as the role of early experience on later behaviors, disorders, etc.

A few chapters are filled with research results in tables and graphs. One is dense with specialist jargon. But all are readable if you're interested in learning what the applicable sciences know and do not know about the dog. All chapters have information I found important and to some, I'll refer back to many times.

Academic, researched, impartial book on dogs.
Does it seem that retail book stores stock dog books that appear opinion-based and poorly referenced or researched? The early chapters of The Domestic Dog concerning evolution may be a little bit factual and historically oriented (read: a tad dry) but presents an excellent understanding of how dogs came into contact with humans and the resulting reliance and interations. The book, in part, looks at areas of canus familiarus and human interaction from both a biological, survival necessity to what kind of kennel should be considered based on breed selection. There are many discussions on topics not normally covered in commercial or general appeal dog books that will compliment, inform and provide insight into otherwise unknown or insufficiently covered areas about dogs. Areas of new information include (but is not limited to): pack hierarchy, dog development and growth, dog psychology and others. It is one dog book I can rely on for its research, reference material and impartial analyses into breed types. It has helped me learn more about dogs than previously possible in other purported books based on fact. I do believe that one must be more interested in dogs than just a casual manner (i.e.: one must really want to get into the nuts and bolts) to enjoy and finish this book.

Excellent book, suitable for both researcher and dog lover
This book is packed with easily understandable, concise information. Whether you are a behaviorist or simply a dog lover, this is a must have. ... Read more

Book Description

This book combines sensation and perception with all biological-sensory aspects of perception with all biological-sensory aspects of perception covered from an evolutionary point of view. It raises the key question: How do the senses gather and secure information about the outside world? This basic question is addressed by explaining how the physical world interacts with and stimulates the senses, and, in turn, how the sense and the nervous system transform, integrate, and process the stimulation. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The Best in its Field!
This is one of the most clearly written and well organized textbooks in the field of psychology.In an intelligently concise manner, Prof. Schiffman captures his readers with his insightful invitations to explorethe human senses.Full of well presented color diagrams, fascinatingillusions and interesting pictures, this text enahnces your senses whileexplaining how they work.This text is a must read for any psychologist,biologist, physician or individual who is interested in learning how humanssense and perceive the environment.

The Best in its Field!
This is one of the most clearly written and well organized textbooks in the field of psychology.In an intelligently concise manner, Prof. Schiffman captures his readers with his insightful invitations to explorethe human senses.Full of well presented color diagrams, fascinatingillusions and interesting pictures, this text enahnces your senses whileexplaining how they work.This text is a must read for any psychologist,biologist, physician or individual who is interested in learning how humanssense and perceive the environment. ... Read more

Book Description

In this one-of-a-kind book, experienced educator and clinician, Ed Teyber provides a unifying conceptual framework for beginning therapists and specific "how-to's" for using the therapist-client relationship to facilitate change. Clinically authentic and thoroughly revised, this new edition gets right to the heart of what students who are beginning to work in a therapeutic setting need to know.Capturing the questions and concerns of beginning therapists, Teyber helps student therapists understand the therapeutic process and how change occurs. The book includes therapeutic goals and intervention strategies for each phase of treatment, and is organized to parallel the course of treatment from initial client contact to termination. Teyber succeeds in bridging the gap between basic skills, case formulations, and intervention strategies with real clients in real settings.Always focused on the therapist-client relationship, this book integrates cognitive-behavioral, family systems, and psychodynamic theories. Multicultural coverage is thorough and richly illustrated. Highlighting how the interpersonal, cognitive, and affective domains interrelate, the book is compelling reading for beginning counselors.Teyber clarifies each of the major issues that arise in treatment and shows how theory leads to practice. He skillfully leads beginning counselors past the uncertainty of how to build a strong working alliance with divers clients, and gives guidelines for understanding the interactions that take place between therapists and clients.Long known for its clarity and immediacy, Teyber's new edition is now accompanied by a powerful teaching and learning package. With the combination of the new edition of this highly respected text, your classroom instruction, the new student workbook, and the new video that shows process in practice, your students will have all the ingredients for success. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Wonderfully concise framework for therapy
I was a doctoral student in clinical psychology when I first read this wonderful book. I had struggled with the coldly analytic nature of cognitive therapy while not feeling 100% comfortable with the more abstract nature of some of the humanistic approaches to treating patients. When I came across Teyber's text, it felt like a breath of fresh air in that he was able to provide a cohesive framework for working with a patient's sense of self without ignoring or minimizing the emotional aspects of therapy. I have now moved on and have completed an M.D., but I still value Teyber's work whenever I struggle to understand the world that my patients' experience and the emotional consequences of that world.

Clear, Concise, and Refreshingly Helpful!
As a beginning therapist I found the Interpersonal Process in Psychotherapy: A Relational Approach, by Edward Teyber, to be extremely helpful and useful. This book effectively translates the often abstract and intangible framework of relational counseling theories into pragmatic interpersonal interventions. Dr. Teyber's words do not read like a theoretical textbook, but rather, as an easy to interpret and highly applicable manual for the student therapist. This book provides the reader with clear and concise explanations of theoretical components so as to assist in the formulation of case conceptualizations. The text provides descriptions, interpretations, and the use of specific relational and interpersonal interventions. Lastly, Dr. Teyber provides extremely helpful vignettes demonstrating the concepts and interventions with sample dialogues between clients and therapists. Throughout this book the reader often feels as though a supervisor is assisting him or her with actual cases, while providing useful tools for translating theory into practical and realistic treatment interventions. I highly recommend this book for beginning therapists who are seeking concrete answers to their reality based questions and concerns about how best to serve the needs of their clients.

the single best book for therapists in training
Teyber's excellent discussions of the client-therapist relationship, resistence, conflicted emotions, and other aspects of psychotherapy are invaluable for therapists in training. In fact, I still find myself referring back to the book at times - years after first reading the second edition. It's not a cheap book, but definitely worth every penny.

Required reading for psychologists!
In my seven years of doctoral training in psychology, this is by far the most helpful textbook I ever purchased. Teyber provides a coherent articulation of how the therapeutic relationship fosters client change. It is one of the most readable, usable texts I've ever encountered. Even though it is intended for beginning practicum students, I often refer back to it when I am stuck with a difficult client. I supervise doctoral students in-training, and this book is always my first recommendation. ... Read more

Book Description

* Inviting prose
* Lucid style
* Familiar language
* Practical applications
* Real-world examples ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Ideal for the self-instruction
This is really a wonderful introductory text on reasoning. I believe that it is particularly noteworthy in two key areas: breadth and accessibility. The only plausible criticism to offer would be to say that this book lacks depth. But to make an issue out of that is rather silly because this book is an introductory text.

The first few chapters introduce some useful ideas about thinking. The chapters on classification, definitions, and propositions prepare the reader by introducing them to the basic tools of critical thinking. This is extremely important and useful because from the beginning Kelley has the reader thinking very carefully about words. And when it comes down to it, the study of arguments is the study of what we mean by the words we use and what can be inferred from how we put string them together.

The later chapters on classical and modern deductive logic offer what should be the center of any introductory course in logic. There's little sense in me listing all that is covered, as you can easily take a look at the table of contents of this book and see what the book covers. In essence, all the topics are here that should be covered in an introductory logic class. While there are other books that I prefer for some of these topics I don't believe there is anything necessarily lacking in Kelley's presentation.

The contents that I most enjoy in this book are found in Part V, Inductive Logic. This section covers the "critical thinking" skills that I believe are really the most needed by students. These are issues such as causality (and distinguishing it from correlation), as well as the proper use of analogies and statistics in arguments. This is all very practical stuff and the topics from logic that I wish more people had some familiarity with. In political debates there are all sorts of improper uses of statistics and analogies; very rarely are there improper uses of Venn diagrams and truth tables.

The most noteworthy quality of this book is its accessibility. This is a book from which the motivated student can teach himself to become a better thinker. While this book is intended to be a textbook for a college level class my guess is that if you're reading this review on Amazon you're probably not a college instructor (if you are, just contact the publisher and obtain a review copy!), but rather someone who is looking to improve his or her thinking skills. More than any other introductory book on logic or critical thinking that I've seen, this book excels at being one that a motivated learner can use to learn from on their own.

Are there "better" books on logic available? If by better you are referring to depth, the answer is "sure!" You can find all sorts of books on logic that are more rigorous. Logic has many sub-fields and obviously more specialized books can offer more depth on symbolic logic or Aristotelian logic, for example. It's simply unfair to try to compare this book with those books. This is a book that will open the doors to all sorts of more advanced books, and I believe it does it better than any other introductory text that I've come across.

Superb Critical Thinking Text
This is an excellent introduction to non-symbolic logic, with interesting and intelligent exercises for students. Kelley's textbook is well-organized and lucidly written. It's one of the very best books on critical thinking.

And contrary to what a previous reviewer has said, Kelley's personal Randian philosophy does not intrude on his pedagogy. He chooses his examples from all across the political spectrum and makes a strenuous effort to be fair and impartial in his analyses. What more can one ask of a philosopher?

The Perfect Introduction to Logic
Although I originally learned logic using Hardegree's _Symbolic Logic_, Kelley's book is a vastly superior text for teaching logic to students and inspiring interest in the subject. Many academics complain that you can't teach Critical Reasoning without covering Aristotelian & symbolic logic; they then complain that Aristotelian & symbolic logic is of no importance or interest to non-philosophy majors, and so that it would be preferable to teach Critical Reasoning.

David Kelley accomplishes something incredible in this book: he teaches BOTH, and he shows how they are connected. He starts the reader off with a general discussion of concepts, definitions, and propositions. Then he shows the reader how to analyze the basic structure of arguments, using op-eds and Supreme Court decisions as illustrations. He then moves into Aristotelian logic, venn diagrams, and the informal Fallacies. After this, he discusses sentential logic and the canonical patterns of inference. In the next section, he introduces the Russell/Frege predicate calculus (and Fred Sommers' term logic) and shows how it expands the precision of argumentative analysis. Finally, he discusses inductive logic, including how to generalize correctly, how to evaluate arguments by analogy, and how to form and test hypotheses.

This is a perfect introduction to logic because it teaches one how to think clearly ("in a straight line," as Flew once put it) about issues that one encounters in ordinary life. At the same time, it equips the student who wants to go further in philosophy with the powerful (Russell/Frege) analytic techniques appropriate to that task. There is NO CHANCE that a student who reads this book will be left wondering about the importance of logic. In addition, Kelley is an expert communicator, and he explains away many of the confusions that people have about reason and logic in our "postmodern" age.

Accessible and Rigorous Introduction to Logic
David Kelley's book is a well-conceived introduction to logic. I think that the first few chapters, on concepts and definitions, are a nice way to begin thinking about what is involved in thinking. These chapters, as well as subsequent ones, are clear at the same time that they are rigorous. I have used this as a textbook for introductory logic classes, and while there are many others that cover the same material, I have yet to find one that surpasses its basic accessibility without sacrificing rigor. There are however, it should be mentioned, a few typos in the exercises.

I would also like to point out with respect to the reviews above that criticize the book on the basis of Kelley's interest in objectivism, that if the reviewer(s) had read the book, they would have been able to recognize at least two fallacies implicit in their review: ad hominem & poisoning the well. In any case, as far as I can tell, Kelley's views on objectivism have nothing to do with the presentation or content of the text.

A solid introduction to developing the logical mind
David Kelley is best known for his advocacy of Objectivism, a demonstrably correct term for the thought of Ayn Rand. He is not particularly well-known in academia for his work as a logician or philosopher. In my opinion, this book is clear proof why. ... Read more

Book Description

"To respect the many differences between people"--this is what Howard Gardner says is the purpose of learning about multiple intelligences (MI). Now, in the 2nd edition of "Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom," Thomas Armstrong has updated his best-selling practical guide for educators, to incorporate new research from Gardner and others. Gardner's original studies suggested that the mind comprises seven intelligences--linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, and intrapersonal.

This new edition includes information on the eighth intelligence (the naturalist), a chapter on a possible ninth intelligence (the existential), and updated information and resources throughout the text to help educators at all levels apply MI theory to curriculum development, lesson planning, assessment, special education, cognitive skills, educational technology, career development, educational policy, and more. The book includes dozens of practical tips, strategies, and examples from real schools and districts--as well as solid outcomes of MI, including improved test scores and discipline. Armstrong provides tools, resources, and ideas that educators can immediately use to help students of all ages achieve their fullest potential in life.

Thomas Armstrong, an educator and psychologist from Sonoma County, California, has more than 27 years of teaching experience, from the primary through the doctoral level. He is the author of two other ASCD books, "Awakening Genius in the Classroom" and "ADD/ADHD Alternatives in the Classroom." ... Read more

Reviews (5)

A new view on how we learn
Did you know that a child who misbehaves in class is unconsciously telling you how he/she needs to approach learning? As a special education teacher and devotee of multiple intelligence theory, this book satisfied my thirst for knowledge on how to recognize and honor children for who they are, not simply who and what we want them to be. Armstrong covers MI theory not only in relation to learning academic subjects, but behavior, classroom management, and life in general. You will never look at education the same way!

Six New Windows into our Minds: Improving Classroom Learning
Have you considered restructuring your 2000-2001 teaching program or, if you are a school administrator, your entire school program around Dr. Howard Earl Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences (MI)? If you answered that important question in the affirmative, then Thomas Armstrong's "Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom 2nd Edition" is a must read.

In "Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom 2nd Edition", Armstrong reinforces Gardner's (1983) MI theory as a confirmed classroom application. This revised and expanded book encourages all types of teachers, be they special education teachers, regular classroom teachers, or teachers of students identified as intellectually exceptional, to show a more holistic view that validates students for who they truly are.

The 156 pages of this book outline innovative strategies for integrating an eighth intelligence, the naturalist, into a classroom/school program. Moreover, Armstrong presents new outlooks, including three potential predicaments, about the possibility of a ninth intelligence--the existential--the intelligence of concern with ultimate life issues and its potential.

Armstrong's insights for teaching and learning, recent case studies and research on the effective uses of MI theory represents a welcomed update to his initial 1994 book of the same title.

Armstrong is to be commended for his comprehensive comments on nurturing students' intelligence strengths. He suggests practical strategies for reducing or (even possibly) eliminating achievement gaps between all types of learners. Moreover, he provides (those busy) classroom teachers and school administrators with new insights for developing a MI learning environment. This 2000 revised book is a necessary read for all who are interested in MI forms of schooling.

A Life-Changing Experience
Reading Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom literally changed my life, by allowing me to recognize my learning strengths and then to embrace them. We all have different degrees of many intelligences, making us unique in our learning styles and abilities. If every educator could be required to read this book, I know it would at least begin to change the face of education in America. This book can change your life!

Multiple Intelligences can be APPLIED
I have been fascinated with the idea of multiple intelligences since I first learned of Howard Gardner's theory. Thomas Armstrong provides a review of the basics of that theory, but then takes it a step further. Armstrong provides countless examples of how each intelligence can be used in the classroom as well as how those intelligences can be assessed. Armstrong also provides ideas on what to include in a M.I. portfolio and how to assess each student's learning through their unique intellectual proclivities. Finally, Armstrong shows us how the traditional paradigm of special education can change and benefit from the application of M.I. theory. This book is well organized, an easy read, and one meant to be read again and again.

Super applications!
As a teacher, I have read much on the theroy of M.I. Here Armstrong takes the next step by offering specific applications of this theory. I have loaned my book to others and I'm sure I will re-read it again myself. - JVM High School Physics Teacher ... Read more

Reviews (8)

The Untouched Key
So many of us grow up and forget about our painful childhood traumas. Well, we don't ever forget them, we never can we just repress them. And we live out the rest of our lives subconciously reliving our childhood in every relationship. If you a re depressed, this book may awaken you to the unlived self that is the root of your depression.

What "gifted" means to Alice Miller
Just so readers won't be misled by one of these reviews, (one wonders if the reviewer even read the book) please understand what Alice Miller means by "gifted" in her own words: "When I used the word 'gifted' in the title, I had in mind neither children who receive high grades in school nor children talented in a special way. I simply meant all of us who have survived an abusive childhood thanks to an ability to adapt even to unspeakable cruelty by becoming numb...Without this 'gift' offered us by nature, we would not have surived." The reviewer who says "we will ever know exactly what makes gifted people gifted" and "that's the fun of it" clearly the foggiest idea about what Alice Miller means when she uses the word "gifted," which makes his or her review ridiculously irrelevant. There's nothing "fun" about being "gifted' in the sense that Alice Miller is writing about! As for this incredible book, no one has written more clearly or insightly about child abuse than Alice Miller and if anyone knows about what makes children "gifted" (in her special use of the term), it's Alice Miller. People who review books should at least read the book they review, and should at the very least, if they hav e read it, understand what the writer has written. If you have been abused, whether overtly or by the poisonous pedagogy of our society, this book is healing balm to your soul. Read it and may it help you be healed.

Nothing special
I have never been a big believer in psychology, and I find that giftedness is still a rather complex subject. This book will present some interesting hypotheticals to the reader. But, as with most books on giftedness, the focus is on excuses.

So, take it with a grain of salt. If you are looking for answers, you won't find them here. I don't think we will ever know exactly what makes gifted people gifted, but thats the fun of it.

The Sad Narcissist
Alice Miller is by far the most prominent popularizer of the twin concepts - True Self and False Self. She regards the True Self as a prisoner within the walls of the False Self. The latter is an intricate and multi-faceted defence mechanism. Defence against what? Against one's emotions that were repressed during early childhood. The narcissist plays a role - that of the gifted, docile, accepting, tranquil, loving, peaceful and well-adjusted child. He becomes the extension of his parents: their unfulfilled dreams and sexret wishes. His identity is moulded to fit the idealized and ideal offspring. His negative feelings are buried deep inside his tormented psyche. These emotional skeletons later erupt and produce depression, suicidal ideation or narcissistic defences. Excellent, readable and - if one can use this word in this context - entertaining. Sam Vaknin, author of 'Malignant Self Love - Narcissism Revisited'.

A book that makes you cry in your dreams- and then sleep
This is one of those books that are not for the faint of heart. So many books in the world that people think are incendiary or revolutionary, challenging and rechallenging our conception of free speech, religion, citizenship, science and technology, philosophy, economics and politics or spirituality have an attraction to us because of how they serve as metaphors for the painful realities of our personal lives under the illusions we create for public consumption, and the secrets of our inner selves we wish to uncover. We yearn to break free of something and embrace some inner truth; we just don't know what, and therefore call it some aspect of the outer world. The desires we have to be and have more than what we are, the feelings of not knowing who we truly are and never truly being loved- and the root causes of such feelings- are unveiled in this powerful, disturbing, life shifting and life-affirming book.

Alice Miller was one of the patron saints of John Bradshaw, the man whose work heralded the age of the Inner Child that became part of the pop-psychology lexicon of the 90's. Her perspective and conclusions, scientifically, sociologically and philosophically speaking, are practically undebateable. And without even needing the true case examples from her therapeutic practice to underscore her points (which she uses with striking and original clarity and precision across gender, racial, ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic lines), her elucidation of her central thesis on the ignored emotional life of children- and the cost of having parents unequipped to give them the love they need- will undoubtedly make deep seated memories of your own childhood come to the surface.

Why does society have such automatic and irrational contempt for the egotist? Why do individulas run to prove themselves (or immediately start thinking of themselves defensively) as the antithesis, upon seeing anyone's character asessed in such a context? Why does even the WORD "self" conjure up confused and uncomfortable feelings when used in anything but a mind-numbing spiritual context with people? What do children need beyond basic nutritional and socioeconomic concerns, and what happens to them when they grow older but do not get it? How is it possible to have more material things and personal achievements than anyone, and still have less and less confidence in who you are?

This book can explain things about your adult life and relationships that you'd rather not have so easily and individually explained. And those who look to books like these to figure out what's wrong with their friends, lovers and parents will discover more about themselves than they may think they're ready to process. We all are not just ready but overdue for these kinds of life lessons.

Never has a writer, perhaps before or since, put the words "childhood" and "mourning" together in one thought, such that it can create a complete paradigm shift in how one sees oneself, and sees the opportunities for happiness one's world.

The fault levied on any psychologist on her level- and there are very, very few- is that this kind of thinking all but demands the kind of narcisstic modern solipsism she seems to diagnose as symptomatic of the illness. (She refers to the dynamic not as an illness, however, but a "tragedy"; keeping us again, I believe, in tune with the ancient Greek mythic/philosophical reference inherent in the old title for this book, "The Drama of the Gifted Child".) Such blanket criticism of psychology books in general could only be concluded with one of this quality from a misreading of the text; the kind of misreading that usually comes when she has hit a nerve the likes of which one didn't expect, may be afraid of and couldn't imagine beforehand. Nonetheless, taking our culture's preoccupation with the self into consideration, there is still nothing of lasting value one could do in the world without at least endeavoring to answer the existential questions of soul, love, freedom, loss and pain- and the true self- that this book demands you to do in a new way for practically the rest of your life.

I gave it four stars instead of five because it was too short. I didn't want it to end. And the idea that she could 1) prove her point, 2)deeply affect me by making me dream dreams that I've never dreamed before, 3)access undramatic but painful memories of childhood events that I forgot happened but have been behind more than half of the seemingly unrelated choices I've made in my adult life, and 4) feel a usually suppressed rage and grief give way to a new sense of purpose and a release of joyful energy and optimism- all in a little more than a hundred pages- still makes me queasy. In other words, read this as a five and a half star review! Then buy the book, put down the most recent bash on modern politics and the latest neo-spiritual mind candy on the bestseller's list, and begin a real journey. ... Read more

Book Description

Written for students taking their first course in psychological statistics, Vernoy and Kyle’s text is considered by many to be the most student-oriented text on the market. Besides a clear and friendly style, the authors avoid digressions of any type, get to the point quickly, provide an abundance of worked examples, visual displays, interim concept quizzes, and other means of reassuring students uncomfortable with math that they are indeed making progress in the course. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Ever fell in love with a textbook?
I sure as heck never had before. I am dyslexic, math phobic, and a graduate student in Psych who must take 1 full year of advanced stat. Terrifed of this prospect, I bought this book. It is, without doubt, the best text book, ever. It is funny (to the point of being downright cheeky), laid out exceedingly well, progresses from one idea to another naturally, and explains all these confusing concepts easily. I actually looked forward to reading it in my spare time, and I promise you, I am not a math geek! There simply is not a better Intro to Statistics book out there. Better than cartoon guide, stats for dummies, etc. Save your money and time and go right to the source.

Behavioral Statistics in Action
In my field I must read many research studies dealing with various topics.I've taken research classes and have learned to recognize key statistical concepts but I must admit that I've never fully understood how they work,what they really mean (no pun intended) or how they were derived.Don'tget me wrong.I've studied, but most texts were just too advanced rightfrom the start.Now that I've read and worked through the sample questionsin this text I finally feel ready to tackle more advanced texts.Thelanguage used is clear and concise with clearly presented examples andapplications of concepts. The sequencing is well thought out and quiteseamless.I highly recommend it for anyone just starting research classeswho has had little or nopreparation in statistics.However, knowledge ofbasic algebra is a must.If you haven't had algebra for some time, you maywant to brush up a bit. ... Read more

Book Description

Why is a forgery worth so much less than an original work of art?What's so funny about someone slipping on a banana peel? When do children start to believe in the afterlife? Why, as Freud once asked, is a man willing to kiss a woman passionately, but not use her toothbrush? And how many times should you baptize a two-headed twin? Descartes' Baby answers the questions you may have never thought to ask about such uniquely human traits as art, humor, faith, disgust, and morality.

In this fascinating account of human nature, psychologist Paul Bloom contends that people are natural-born dualists. Even babies have a rich understanding of both the physical and social worlds-of bodies and souls-and they come to see them as distinct. They expect objects to obey principles of physics, and they're startled when things disappear or defy gravity. They can read the emotions of adults and respond with their own feelings of anger, sympathy and joy. Adults too experience this dualist perspective: We see another person as both "a machine made of meat" and as a feeling being with dreams and desires.Using his own studies in developmental psychology and recent research in philosophy, evolutionary biology, art, theology, and neuroscience, Bloom shows how this way to making sense of reality can explain what makes us human. The myriad ways that our dualist perspective, born in infancy, undergoes development throughout our lives and profoundly influence out thoughts, feelings, and actions is the subject of this richly rewarding book. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Embarrassing, disgusting, and immoral
Paul Bloom explains how it is that humans come to feel embarrassment, disgust, or moral revulsion (among other things). He argues that these feeling can be traced to our earliest development, in which we learn about the properties of objects and other people. These parallel developments interact to result in special feelings towards certain objects such as great works of art or decaying meat. Although feelings of embarrassment and disgust may not be limited to humans, he argues that without even negative emotions and feelings, we would not be fully human.

The book is full of witty and fascinating anecdotes, as well as thought-provoking questions. The first chapters lay the groundwork by reviewing recent findings about the development of infants. The book steadily gains in interest as these findings form the groundwork for intriguing discussions of emotion, morality, and religion.

Although the author is apparently a professor at Yale, the book can be read by anyone who is interested in children or in how we end up the way we are. In fact, as I got further and further into it, I could not put it down.

A fantastic book!
Engaging and funny cognitive scientist Paul Bloom's second book is a fascinating read. In it, he argues that we are wired to view the world as containing both bodies and souls. Bloom argues convincingly that it is for this reason, that even when the idea of psychophysical dualism clashes with our intellectual understanding of bodies and souls, we still maintain vestiges of a belief in the immaterial soul. His discussions of a huge range of fascinating issues make this book a must-read.

Descartes' Baby is incredibly fun to read, and is smattered with bits of humor and amusing anecdotes about real children and adults. Indeed, one of the most humorous moments in this lively book is Bloom's account of a neuroscientist colleague's culinarily-motivated search for animals without a certain neural structure, because, he reasoned, animals without this certain structure surely didn't have consciousness and therefore we safe to eat.

Another strength of the book is Bloom's treatment of disgust. His view is both interesting and nuanced and falls naturally from his argument that we are intuitive dualists at heart. Other high points are his discussion of art and forgery, and his quite funny discussion of humor.

It's not often that I read nonfiction. Normally I find it either too pedantic or too technical and narrow in scope to appeal to an outsider. One of the tremendous strengths of this book is that someone without training in developmental psychology or philosophy can follow it with ease, while still finding it intellectually satisfying.

This book is truly a gem -- both entertaining and important. It's a must-read for anyone who has ever wondered about human nature.

Fascinating, Lively and Fun Read
This is a Terrific book. It is written in a lively, accessible style, yet says some serious things about what it is to be human. The author's main point is that we have two very different ways of viewing and thinking about reality: in terms of the physical world of material bodies, and in terms of the social world of people. He suggests that these two viewpoints often collide in interesting and surprising ways, to unique effect, to explain such things about human nature as: Why slapstick humor is funny; why we consider some things (such as certain sex acts, for example) to be disgusting; the nature of human morality and why our 'moral circle' has expanded through history; the ubiquity of religious thought; and other things fundamental to being human. To support his explanations, he draws extensively on recent findings in developmental psychology, showing us that how children think and develop tells us a lot about human nature. This is a serious, intelligent book that makes some deep, genuinely creative new insights into the complex nature of human psychology.

If you're interested in human nature, child development, or cognitive science, you will find this book full of fascinating information and provocative ideas. Finally, it is just plain fun reading!

Superb-Written with great clarity, grace and intelligence
This is an amazing book. It is written with great clarity, insight, and humor while at the same time preserving scientific and conceptual rigor-a very rare combination indeed. How often is one lucky enough to pick up a book covering complex issues in science and philosophy and find that it is so riveting that one stays up all night reading it?
Bloom addresses one of the deepest and most profound issues of what makes us human, our tendencies to see others as comprised of utterly distinct bodies and minds, that is the dualism of Descartes. While modern philosophers and cognitive scientists may largely reject dualism, the rest of us , and even those philosophers and scientists in their less reflective moments, embrace dualism so completely that it colors every aspect of our interpretations of others and of their activities.
Bloom's book brilliantly shows how this dualism is not some late emerging impression made by one's culture or society, instead it is a fundamental part of how our minds are built, and can be seen in rudimentary forms even in infancy. He explains how it emerges and why it makes sense that we should all be endowed with this assumption, even if it is in many ways severely misleading. He shows how our dualism explains an extraordinary range of otherwise puzzling phenomena in domains as diverse as disgust, art forgery, humor, religion and altruism. Bloom is a leading researcher on the development of children's minds who is also an award winning writer; and this book shows how these two skills can mutually reinforce each other in ways that create fascinating, enlightening, and engaging reading. Any one interested in children, in cognitive science, or simply in human nature, will find themselves adoring this book. This book is science writing at its very best.

Great book from a giant intellect
In this rare combination of entertaining writing and serious scientific review, Bloom argues that human beings are natural-born dualists--meaning that from infancy we perceive the world as being made of "bodies" (material objects) and "souls" (things with intentions, desires, and other mental states). Using this explanatory scheme, Bloom is able to explain a variety of puzzling phenomena--from autism to art forgery. What makes Bloom's book a gem is that it performs a rare feat in modern psychology in that it actually explains social life rather than simply redescribing it using psychological jargon.

Whether you are an interested student of psychology, a serious academic, or a curious parent, this book will satisfy your curiousity about the current state of knowledge surrounding human development. (It goes without saying that this is also a must-read for any cognitive science junkie!)

With this book Bloom has elevated his status as a serious intellect who has maintained an ability to communicate to a wide audience--joining others like Pinker, Dennett, and Gould. ... Read more

Book Description

Color is a catalyst for feelings––about how we look, decorate our home or office, plant in our garden, and relate to each other. The right colors stimulate or relax our senses, release happy memories, reflect how we feel about ourselves and our personal space. For the past twenty-five years, color authority and best-selling author, Lee Eiseman, has spoken to thousands of consumers and professionals about the influence of color.Now she provides expert answers for all of us who want more color in our lives. For The Color Answer Book, she has selected the questions people ask her most and broken them into the areas that most affect your life––emotional responses; wardrobe planning, makeup, hair color, and accessories; decorating your home and office for yourself and for those you live and work with; your health; and especially your garden or outdoor space. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Good reference book for designers
Laetrice Eiseman certainly hit on some common questions and answered them very well. This book should be read in conjunction with her other books, especially "Colors For Your Every Mood". These books are complementary.

I can't seem to get into her Color Word Association Quiz, which she has also used in another book. I like all the colors depending on context. Maybe it just isn't relevant to me yet or I'm too left-brained. It's a great concept if it works for you.

I use the Pantone Textile System for interior design. Homeowners should buy the vastly cheaper consumer version at http://www.therightcolor.com. Latrice's books are grounded in the Pantone systems and you will find her book more relevant if you make a small investment in the full color guide.

- jim

Over one hundred common questions are directly addressed
Written in question-and-answer format by worldwide leading color expert Leatrice Eiseman, and packed from cover to cover with full-color photography, The Color Answer Book: 100+ Frequently Asked Color Questions For Home, Healh And Happiness presents sound and insightful advice for color usage to decorate and enhance one's home and surroundings. More than one hundred common questions are directly addressed, concerning everything from the best colors to wear; to issues of color and health; to color in the workplace, garden and elsewhere. An informed and informative account, The Color Answer Book is simply filled with fascinating and useful trivia, -- and very highly recommended for do-it-yourself amateur as well as professional interior designers.

Beautiful job!
Ms. Eiseman delivers just what she promises here: lots of interesting and informative material about color, written in a nice conversational style. The book is lovely to look at, just as one would hope for a book of its type.
It's interesting that Eiseman addresses "theory" as much as she does, yet still manages to write a book that is so personally oriented - it's all about color's place in your OWN life. I especially like the historical information included on many points. Highly useful and enjoyable.

A Surprise and Delight-- A stunning book
This book deserves a whole universe of stars, not just 5 Stars. Most experts get "tired and repetitive" when they hit their 3rd or 4th books. But Leatrice's new book,the Color Answer Book, breaks new ground for her, yet she never diminishes her message. She informs and teaches with delightful wit and an elegant style. Most importantly, she asks the questions we ought to ask ourselves about color, but are too uninformed to know how to, even better; she gives us smart, intelligent, useful answers. What a package! Where else do you get the Questions and the Answers in Life, or in this case, in color?
Brava, Leatrice. Thank you again for giving us all a wonderful tool. This ought to be gift wrapped and packaged with "Communicating with Color" and given to anyone who has color in their life or their business.

This is going to be another book I advise my clients to run out and buy. .......... ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Innovative
This author challenges the status quo about learning and creativity. His ideas challenge you think and re-visit your preconceptions.

On the other hand, his writing style is difficult and repetitive. Although interested I found it difficult to finish this book.

if your child is a puzzle whiz, buy this book now
I read this book slowly. Word by word. Not because I am dyslexic, but because I didn't want to miss anything that the author had to say. This book let me understand that my family isn't alone in struggling with the paradox of not hearing but seeing too well. A must have book and I am a confirmed library user.

A review from a dyslexic
I read this book after seeing what other people were reading after reading Dr. Sally Shaywitz's book. The title leads me to believe I wouldn't get much from it, but I was very mistaken. I found myself underlining passages and writing notes in the margins. West details a very compelling argument. His theory is since it appears the people with literary disabilities have superior visual/spatial skills, these skills may often be mutually exclusive. Hence, people with superior literary skills often have poor visual/spatial skills. He postulates that since human society has only been post-literate for hundreds of years compared to pre-literate for thousand of years, people with better visual/spatial skills would have a survival advantage as better hunter/gatherers and avoid other dangers. People with superior literary skills in a pre-literate society would have poor survival skills although they would be needed as say shamans, storytellers or record-keepers. The theory makes sense evolutionarily as it seems to confirm Shaywitz's observation that 1 in 5 people have some reading disability. Which at the time seemed high to me. West goes on to argue that society has been selecting against people with poor literary skills and details the danger this can pose. He argues it appears that society is turning back to needing people with high visual/spatial skills with the advent of cheap highly graphic computers and other visual modes of information communication. West details several famous (Einstein, Churchill, and Edison) and not-so-famous people (Faraday, Tesla and Maxwell) with literary disabilities but superior visual/spatial skills and how their skills were important for their success. I feel that dyslexics, educators, and policy makers should read this book. West makes a very persuasive argument that society should not select for only one skill set because you never know what skills a future society may need. In an aside, the film Gattaca uses West's theory as a basis of the plot even mentioning how Einstein was dyslexic. If you find this book compelling, you will enjoy the film.

My Center Begins at a Different Place: Eccentric-Gifted
If you have your own voice, know it is precious. If your child has the same, cherish, accept and nuture it. It is hope, we all live life threaded by hope. Please read this gentleman's book, his words eclipse my own with more passion and presience.

Thank you Mr. Thomas G. West.

Dr. Mario T. Scaduto Ph.D.

language is not synonymous with intelligence
I am a spatial thinker who still struggles with language (I am autistic), and this book was amazing to me. It points out that the very same areas that cause difficulty for so many people and cause them to be looked down upon, are somehow tied into the areas of great strength that they may grow up to show. (In other words, having difficulty with language can actually be simply a symptom of having extreme ability in visual or spatial thinking).

This book has strong implications for anyone who has ever considered autism, dyslexia, or learning difficulties to be horrible things that must be stamped out. It shows that the apparent "weakness" and "lack of ability" in some areas can really be an aspect of a major (but often unrecognized) area of strength.

It speculates that the very skills that cause people to have difficulty in language and arithmetic (and hence in school) are vital and useful skills which have only recently been characterized as deficiencies. It shows that intelligence and creativity are not in fact synonymous with language ability.

People who are autistic, dyslexic, or have other "learning difficulties" may be amazed to find themselves somewhere in this book; and people who seek to eradicate autism, dyslexia, and other "learning difficulties" may open their eyes and think twice about what exactly it is that they would be eradicating. ... Read more

Book Description

Today, our environment is dominated by the visual. This book explores "visual intelligence" as a basic and indispensable tool of cultural survival. The author offers a practical manual on a non-superficial level for those who seriously want to know how images are processed, how they function in relation to our innermost beings, and how they form the psychological fabric of our political, social, and economic environment. Barry defines how we derive meaning from images and examines perceptual process, how it has evolved, and the role it plays in our thinking. She critically examines the concept of rationality and explores how visual logic works to create meaning. The book goes behind the obvious and beyond the superficial as it critically examines the visual power and logic of images, cutting across a variety of areas: perceptual psychology, art, television, film, literature, advertising, and politics.

The second section of Visual Intelligence examines the role which various media play in creating the images which impact our lives: how visual images create a language with profound psychological meaning, and how print, television, and film media manipulate images to create desired emotional effects. Close-ups explore visual subtleties in such areas as digital manipulation, camera attitudes, and contextual framing, as well as the social consequences of "image" as an abstract concept expressed in concrete visual terms. Part III looks critically at the most controversial areas of image persuasiveness today--advertising, politics, and entertainment. ... Read more