Mapping the Mind
Rita Carter
ISBN: 0753810190
As accurate as a 16th century map of the world, this text brings together current research and more speculative theories about how the brain really works. It includes its development - a section I would like to see expanded, especially into adolescence. It gives explanations about how different chemicals enable it to work, which helps understanding of diseases such as Parkinson's, or Schizophrenia, and conditions such as dyslexia. It also discusses the perceptual differences which make each of us individual. I particularly like the images of infant brain development (not realising that the brain actually is still growing), the explanations of the different kinds of scans, and the chapters on vision and on memory. I use it in the school library (admittedly a grammar school), to show pupils how their brains grow, and that their decisions about what they spend their time doing will actually affect what kind of intelligence they will develop. It is well written, and easy to follow. The diagrams are very clear. It is well indexed. |
