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The Pleasure Instinct: Why We Crave Adventure, Chocolate, Pheromones, and Music

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Author: Gene Wallenstein
Publisher: Wiley
Category: Book

List Price: ~~$24.95~~
Buy New: $16.47
You Save: $8.48 (34%)

New (29) Used (5) from $12.47

Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 256
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 9.4 x 6.1 x 1.1

ISBN: 0471619159
Dewey Decimal Number: 152.42
EAN: 9780471619154
ASIN: 0471619159

Publication Date: December 22, 2008 (New: Last 30 Days)
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours

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Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
An immensely fascinating look at the origins and evolutionary purpose of human pleasurebr From our enjoyment of music to our cravings for chocolate, from our love for children and family to our attraction to things of beauty, this book embarks on an intriguing and accessible exploration of the purpose of pleasure in our lives and in human history. How did pleasure evolve and why? How does it develop in children? How does the pursuit of pleasure play a critical role in brain development? The Pleasure Instinct explores everything we need to know about our urge to feel good.br Gene Wallenstein, PhD (Providence, RI), is an internationally recognized neuroscientist and expert on the biology of emotions. A Harvard-educated pioneer in the emerging field of cognitive neurobiology, he is the director of the Cognitive Neurobiology Institute, a private consulting firm that partners scientists and policymakers in mental health advocacy.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars

Excellent for parents and teachers! December 29, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

This book is a wonderful blend of evolutionary psychology, neuroscience and genetics that discusses the role of pleasure in wiring the brain. As a mom and teacher I found so much to like about the book. I will never again think about child development in quite the same way. So many things that we find naturally pleasurable turn out to have serious consequences for brain maturation and ensuring normal development. I really enjoyed the way the author was able to keep the science at a level appropriate for non-specialists and weave in interesting stories about real people. The final section is also very interesting since he gets into the implications of the pleasure instinct in modern society. I recommend the book to anyone interested in the science of emotions, especially positive emotions. People interested in brain development will also find the book very interesting.

5 out of 5 stars

A fascinating and fun look at why we like the things we do. December 28, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Wallenstein is a well-respected scientist who has the gift of writing like a novelist. It starts out with some simply posed questions: "How is it that the human mind experiences pleasure in mere shapes and colors, textures and touch, myths and stories?" "Why does humor relieve tension?" "Why does music invigorate us...while other noises leave no mark?" In the spirit of Pinker, Wallenstein, a Harvard-trained neuroscientist, answers these questions and others by assembling a highly original work that examines the evolutionary origins and purpose of pleasure. br /br /The book is split into three sections. The first section examines the evolutionary origins of pleasure from a very broad perspective going well beyond the usual but limited emphasis on the role of pleasure in sexual reproduction to include lively discussions on the development of aesthetics, social attachment, and language. The second section uses the five senses as a platform for understanding why humans from all cultures seem to have a fondness for the same common experiences such as making music, devouring sweets, prefering symmetry to asymmetry, enjoying rhythmic body movements, touching and being touched, and many others. He then shows how the evolution of these innate preferences is actually important for regulating brain development and plasticity in children and adults. The final section comprises an eye-opening exploration into how these innate preferences shape the way we make everyday decisions such as choosing potential mates, deciding what to buy, and what we pursue for fun. This book will be a great selection for anyone wanting to learn about how pleasure impacts our biological and psychological development.br /br /Highly recommended! br /br /

Copyright 2007 White Hat Communications.
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