The Other Side Of Normal: How Biology Is Providing The Clues To Unlock The Secrets Of Normal And Abnormal Behavior (2012) - Plot & Excerpts
For the first time, I find the biological mechanisms of psychiatric behaviour clearly illuminated. Dr Smoller managed to weave together various aspects - molecular biology, evolutionary biology, neuroscience - to explain how the functioning of the brain can go awry. I had readily dismissed pathologies of the mind as subjective and sometimes even self-indulgent practices, and Dr Smoller was able to salvage some of psychiatry's glories and wonders through this book. I had enjoyed this book very much. A decent pop psychology read with a solid premise that is at the heart of the debate of psychology now (particularly with the release of the DSM-V): that we much define abnormal by first defining normal, rather than the other way around. Smoller brings the neuroscience and biology underpinning psychology down to a layperson's level, which is good for those who have a general interest in the topic. For those who are more versed and looking for something deeper, they probably won't find it here. The book serves as a great summary, but remains fairly basic (probably because his main audience was someone not in the field of psychology). As a former physiology student, I found that in many cases, I could guess what experiment/example he was going to talk about next before he even got there. This makes it a good read for those who just have a general interest in psychology, but for those in the field, they may find themselves a bit bored with it, even if it has a worthy premise that should be expanded on more deeply.
What do You think about The Other Side Of Normal: How Biology Is Providing The Clues To Unlock The Secrets Of Normal And Abnormal Behavior (2012)?
Very interesting book, get's you thinking about what makes people think, act, and do.
—fibee
I won this book from First Reads. Looks like a good book. Thank you.
—Brend1ta
Smoller did a wonderful job of balancing genetics with psychology.
—Luv2read
