A User's Guide to the Brain : Perception, Attention, and the Four Theaters of the Brain

For the first time ever, discoveries in our under-standing of the brain are changing anthropology, linguistics, philosophy, and psychology--indeed, the brain itself may become a catalyst for transforming the very nature of these inquiries. In A User's Guide to the Brain, Dr. John Ratey, best-selling co-author of Driven to Distraction, explains in lucid detail and with perfect clarity the basic structure and chemistry of the brain: how its systems shape our perceptions, emotions, actions, and reactions; how possession of this knowledge can enable us to more fully understand and improve our lives; and how the brain responds to the guidance of its user. He draws on examples from his own practice, from research, and from everyday life to illuminate aspects of the brain's functioning, among them prenatal and early childhood development; the perceptual systems; the processes of consciousness, memory, emotion, and language; and the social brain. As the best means for explaining the dynamic interactions of the brain, Ratey offers as a metaphor the four "theaters" of exploration: 1) the act of perception; 2) the filters of attention, consciousness, and cognition; 3) the array of options employed by the brain--memory, emotion, language, movement--to transform information into function; and 4) behavior and identity. Ratey succeeds not only in giving us a compelling portrait of the brain's infinite flexibility and unpredictability but also in demonstrating how our very understanding of the brain affects who we are. For The First Time Ever, Discoveries In Our Understanding Of The Brain Are Changing Anthropology, Linguistics, Philosophy, And Psychology - Indeed, The Brain Itself May Become A Catalyst For Transforming The Very Nature Of These Inquiries, In A User's Guide To The Brain, Dr. John Ratey, Explains In Lucid Detail And With Perfect Clarity The Basic Structure And Chemistry Of The Brain: How Its Systems Shape Our Perceptions, Emotions, Actions, And Reactions; How Possession Of This Knowledge Can Enable Us To More Fully Understand And Improve Our Lives; And How The Brain Responds To The Guidance Of Its User. He Draws On Examples From His Own Practice, From Research, And From Everyday Life To Illuminate Aspects Of The Brain's Functioning, Among Them Prenatal And Early Childhood Development; The Perceptual Systems; The Processes Of Consciousness, Memory, Emotion, And Language; And The Social Brain. As The Best Means For Explaining The Dynamic Interactions Of The Brain, Ratey Offers As A Metaphor The Four Theaters Of Exploration; 1) The Act Of Perception; 2) The Filters Of Attention, Consciousness, And Cognition; 3) The Array Of Options Employed By The Brain - Memory, Emotion, Language, Movement - To Transform Information Into Function; And 4) Behavior And Identity. Ratey Succeeds Not Only In Giving Us A Compelling Portrait Of The Brain's Infinite Flexibility And Unpredictability But Also In Demonstrating How Our Very Understanding Of The Brain Affects Who We Are.--jacket. Development -- Perception -- Attention And Consciousness -- Movement -- Memory -- Emotion -- Language -- The Social Brain -- The Four Theaters -- Care And Feeding. John J. Ratey. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [381]-384) And Index. "For the first time ever, discoveries in our understanding of the brain are changing anthropology, linguistics, philosophy, and psychology - indeed, the brain itself may become a catalyst for transforming the very nature of these inquiries, In A User's Guide to the Brain, Dr. John Ratey, explains in lucid detail and with perfect clarity the basic structure and chemistry of the brain: how its systems shape our perceptions, emotions, actions, and reactions; how possession of this knowledge can enable us to more fully understand and improve our lives; and how the brain responds to the guidance of its user. He draws on examples from his own practice, from research, and from everyday life to illuminate aspects of the brain's functioning, among them prenatal and early childhood development; the perceptual systems; the processes of consciousness, memory, emotion, and language; and the social brain.". "As the best means for explaining the dynamic interactions of the brain, Ratey offers as a metaphor the four "theaters" of exploration; 1) the act of perception; 2) the filters of attention, consciousness, and cognition; 3) the array of options employed by the brain - memory, emotion, language, movement - to transform information into function; and 4) behavior and identity. Ratey succeeds not only in giving us a compelling portrait of the brain's infinite flexibility and unpredictability but also in demonstrating how our very understanding of the brain affects who we are."--BOOK JACKET. John Ratey, bestselling author and clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, here lucidly explains the human brain's workings, and paves the way for a better understanding of how the brain affects who we are. Ratey provides insight into the basic structure and chemistry of the brain, and demonstrates how its systems shape our perceptions, emotions, and behavior. By giving us a greater understanding of how the brain responds to the guidance of its user, he provides us with knowledge that can enable us to improve our lives. In A User's Guide to the Brain, Ratey clearly and succinctly surveys what scientists now know about the brain and how we use it. He looks at the brain as a malleable organ capable of improvement and change, like any muscle, and examines the way specific motor functions might be applied to overcome neural disorders ranging from everyday shyness to autism. Drawing on examples from his practice and from everyday life, Ratey illustrates that the most important lesson we can learn about our brains is how to use them to their maximum potential. From the Trade Paperback edition