Mirroring People: The New Science of How We Connect with Others - Hardcover

Iacoboni, Marco

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0374210179 ISBN 13: 9780374210175

Publisher: Farrar Straus & Giroux, 2008

Synopsis

Draws on recent scientific findings in neuroscience to introduce the concept of mirror neuron "smart cells" that enable a person's ability to understand fellow humans, in an account that evaluates the role of mirror neurons in a range of aspects from morality and addiction to political affiliations and consumer choices.

About this title

Review:

"This book vividly conveys the current excitement in the field of mirror neurons and it should provide a valuable antidote to "Neuron envy" - a widely prevalent syndrome in psychology. The author explores the broader implications of the research for understanding the neural basis of human nature." --V.S. Ramachandran, M.D., PhD, Director, Center for brain and cognition, UCSD

"A superb introduction to one of the great discoveries of contemporary science: we come wired for empathy and cooperation, and evolution has equipped us to care, not just compete. Think of evolution as the survival of the most caring and best cared for. This is a book you must read." --George Lakoff, author of "The Political Mind: Why You Can't Understand 21st-Century Politics with an 18th-Century Brain" "This book vividly conveys the current excitement in the field of mirror neurons and it should provide a valuable antidote to "Neuron envy" - a widely prevalent syndrome in psychology. The author explores the broader implications of the research for understanding the neural basis of human nature." --V.S. Ramachandran, M.D., PhD, Director, Center for brain and cognition, UCSD

"A fascinating account of an unexpected discovery that is changing the way that psychologists and neuroscientists think about everything from language to social interaction." --Daniel Gilbert, Professor of Psychology, Harvard University, and author of "Stumbling on Happiness" "Marco Iacoboni has written a fascinating and wonderfully accessible account of one of the most exciting developments in recent neuroscience--the discovery of 'mirror neurons.' If you want to know more about the biological basis of empathy, morality, social cognition and self-awareness, read this book." --Sam Harris, founder of The Reason Project and author of the "New York Times" best sellers, "The End of Faith" and "Letter to a Christian Nation" "Those of us who thirty years ago began to speculate about the social brain never guessed what riches were in store. Iacoboni's book is both a thrilling account of how research on mirror neurons is revolutionising our understanding of inter-subjectivity, and a passionate manifesto for what he calls 'existential neuroscience.' "Mirroring People" does for the story of mirror neurons what "The Double Helix" did for DNA." --Nicholas Humphrey, author of "Seeing Red: A Study in Consciousness" "A superb introduction to one of the great discoveries of contemporary science: we come wired for empathy and cooperation, and evolution has equipped us to care, not just compete. Think of evolution as the survival of the most caring and best cared for. This is a book you must read." --George Lakoff, author of "The Political Mind: Why You Can't Understand 21st-Century Politics with an 18th-Century Brain" "This book vividly conveys the current excitement in the field of mirror neurons andit should provide a valuable antidote to "Neuron envy" - a widely prevalent syndrome in psychology. The author explores the broader implications of the research for understanding the neural basis of human nature." --V.S. Ramachandran, M.D., PhD, Director, Center for brain and cognition, UCSD

"Those of us who thirty years ago began to speculate about the social brain never guessed what riches were in store. Iacoboni's book is both a thrilling account of how research on mirror neurons is revolutionising our understanding of inter-subjectivity, and a passionate manifesto for what he calls 'existential neuroscience.' "Mirroring People" does for the story of mirror neurons what "The Double Helix" did for DNA." --Nicholas Humphrey, author of "Seeing Red: A Study in Consciousness" "A superb introduction to one of the great discoveries of contemporary science: we come wired for empathy and cooperation, and evolution has equipped us to care, not just compete. Think of evolution as the survival of the most caring and best cared for. This is a book you must read." --George Lakoff, author of "The Political Mind: Why You Can't Understand 21st-Century Politics with an 18th-Century Brain" "This book vividly conveys the current excitement in the field of mirror neurons and it should provide a valuable antidote to "Neuron envy" - a widely prevalent syndrome in psychology. The author explores the broader implications of the research for understanding the neural basis of human nature." --V.S. Ramachandran, M.D., PhD, Director, Center for brain and cognition, UCSD

"Marco Iacoboni has written a fascinating and wonderfully accessible account of one of the most exciting developments in recent neuroscience--the discovery of 'mirror neurons.' If you want to know more about the biological basis of empathy, morality, social cognition and self-awareness, read this book." --Sam Harris, founder of The Reason Project and author of the "New York Times" best sellers, "The End of Faith" and "Letter to a Christian Nation" "Those of us who thirty years ago began to speculate about the social brain never guessed what riches were in store. Iacoboni's book is both a thrilling account of how research on mirror neurons is revolutionising our understanding of inter-subjectivity, and a passionate manifesto for what he calls 'existential neuroscience.' "Mirroring People" does for the story of mirror neurons what "The Double Helix" did for DNA." --Nicholas Humphrey, author of "Seeing Red: A Study in Consciousness" "A superb introduction to one of the great discoveries of contemporary science: we come wired for empathy and cooperation, and evolution has equipped us to care, not just compete. Think of evolution as the survival of the most caring and best cared for. This is a book you must read." --George Lakoff, author of "The Political Mind: Why You Can't Understand 21st-Century Politics with an 18th-Century Brain" "This book vividly conveys the current excitement in the field of mirror neurons and it should provide a valuable antidote to "Neuron envy" - a widely prevalent syndrome in psychology. The author explores the broader implications of the research for understanding the neural basis of human nature." --V.S. Ramachandran, M.D., PhD, Director, Center for brain andcognition, UCSD

"Want to learn what mirror neurons have to do with Super Bowl commercials, violent video games, autism, addiction, and even free will? This is your book."--"Discover "magazine

"Explaining how mirror neurons might change our notion of free will, act as neural precursors to language, and shed light on human empathy, Iacoboni nimbly takes us through the experiments that led to these findings."--"Seed "magazine

"A book full of wonder and promise."--"Booklist"

"Want to learn what mirror neurons have to do with Super Bowl commercials, violent video games, autism, addiction, and even free will? This is your book."--"Discover "magazine

"Explaining how mirror neurons might change our notion of free will, act as neural precursors to language, and shed light on human empathy, Iacoboni nimbly takes us through the experiments that led to these findings."--"Seed "magazine
"Pioneer researcher Iacoboni balances technical detail with engaging historical perspective, humor, and idealism."--"Library Journal"

"To read this marvelously accessible book is to share Iacoboni's enthusiasm.... A book full of wonder and promise."--"Booklist "

Want to learn what mirror neurons have to do with Super Bowl commercials, violent video games, autism, addiction, and even free will? This is your book. "Discover magazine"

Explaining how mirror neurons might change our notion of free will, act as neural precursors to language, and shed light on human empathy, Iacoboni nimbly takes us through the experiments that led to these findings. "Seed magazine"

Pioneer researcher Iacoboni balances technical detail with engaging historical perspective, humor, and idealism. "Library Journal"

To read this marvelously accessible book is to share Iacoboni's enthusiasm.... A book full of wonder and promise. "Booklist""

Want to learn what mirror neurons have to do with Super Bowl commercials, violent video games, autism, addiction, and even free will? This is your book. Discover magazine

Explaining how mirror neurons might change our notion of free will, act as neural precursors to language, and shed light on human empathy, Iacoboni nimbly takes us through the experiments that led to these findings. Seed magazine

Pioneer researcher Iacoboni balances technical detail with engaging historical perspective, humor, and idealism. Library Journal

To read this marvelously accessible book is to share Iacoboni's enthusiasm.... A book full of wonder and promise. Booklist

"

"Want to learn what mirror neurons have to do with Super Bowl commercials, violent video games, autism, addiction, and even free will? This is your book." --Discover magazine

"Explaining how mirror neurons might change our notion of free will, act as neural precursors to language, and shed light on human empathy, Iacoboni nimbly takes us through the experiments that led to these findings." --Seed magazine

"Pioneer researcher Iacoboni balances technical detail with engaging historical perspective, humor, and idealism." --Library Journal

"To read this marvelously accessible book is to share Iacoboni's enthusiasm.... A book full of wonder and promise." --Booklist

About the Author:

Marco Iacoboni is a neurologist and neuroscientist at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He has appeared on Good Morning America, the Early Show, and Morning Edition, among other TV and radio programs.

About this edition

• Publisher: Farrar Straus & Giroux
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0374210179
• ISBN 13: 9780374210175
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 308