Why We Do the Things We Do: Psychology in a Nutshell

Description

Can you really tell a criminal by the bumps on his head? What does a memory look like? Can a machine think? Why are some people shy? Is it better not to feel so much? These are some of the many questions that have troubled the minds of some of the greatest thinkers in human civilization and are discussed in this comprehensive yet accessible introduction to psychology. The complex workings of the mind have fascinated mankind for centuries, but the key theories of psychology are often so complicated that it is almost impossible for the casual reader to understand. InWhy We Do the Things We Do, Joel Levy unlocks the important studies and theories in a series of simple questions and answers that shine new and uncomplicated light on the important aspects of psychology. This book will demystify the key questions by tracking their origins in the writings of some of the most prominent thinkers in various fields, showing how these ideas and concepts have developed over time. With each section broken down into the key concepts, issues and arguments, considering how these ideas influence the way we all go about our daily lives, Why We Do the Things We Do will illuminate this fascinating subject.

Joel Levy is a journalist and author specializing in science and history. He has written over a dozen books including: Scientific Feuds, Lost Histories, Poison: A Social History, Why? and Freudian Slips.