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Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst

Questions About Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst

by Robert M. Sapolsky

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Answered Questions (7)

This had a very positive review in SCIENCE. Has anyone read it to see if it is readable for a non-specialist?
Dennis Goos The first 8 chapters are a slog so skip those, read the rest and go back to the beginning chapters if you want to.
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Is this book understandable for someone who doesn't know much about biology? I'm a computer engineer and the science I know is mostly maths and physics. Thanks in advance.
Viswanathan K. Yes, absolutely. Different chapters focus on different aspects (effect of neurons, hormones, culture etc), so this book is looking at things from mult…moreYes, absolutely. Different chapters focus on different aspects (effect of neurons, hormones, culture etc), so this book is looking at things from multiple angles. The very-technical stuff is usually in the appendixes, thus making it easy to skip it if you choose to.

In fact, the book is written in a very logical flow... ideal for someone with a computer science mindset. And the fact that there are feedback loops also fit into the engineer's mindset. Do read!(less)
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How different is this book from Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman?
Daniel Daniel Kagneman Thinking, Fast and Slow has to do with cataloging and understanding from a psychological and economical perspective the basic heuristi…moreDaniel Kagneman Thinking, Fast and Slow has to do with cataloging and understanding from a psychological and economical perspective the basic heuristics of the mind/brain. Behave try to explain the underlying biology i.e. Genes expression, hormones and brain regions dealing with our behaviors and their social results.(less)
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For a layperson, would this book be easier to consume as an audiobook or as an actual printed copy?
Patrick Moore The audiobook version of this had an unfortunate reader. They should have had Sapolsky read it himself.
I recommend you go to YouTube, search for Sapo…moreThe audiobook version of this had an unfortunate reader. They should have had Sapolsky read it himself.
I recommend you go to YouTube, search for Sapolsky Stanford, and watch or listen to the 20 lectures there. The book BEHAVE is structured the same as this class lectures.(less)
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I've read another of Sapolsky's books and really enjoyed it. Seems like I should enjoy this one, but look for comments and opinions from others. I'm seeing mixed reviews, both good and bad, about this book. What do you think? Should I spend time reading it? It's a longer book but looks interesting. Let me know!
Connor Jensen Definitely worth the time if you are interested in science and psychology. It is definitely a longer read but I am very much enjoying it, but you have…moreDefinitely worth the time if you are interested in science and psychology. It is definitely a longer read but I am very much enjoying it, but you have to be somewhat interested in the fields discussed. I know for me the neuroscience at the start was a breeze but the genetics later on slowed me down. Overall though I think it is a terrific book to read if you want to understand more about human behavior and its roots. Plus, Sapolsky is great at breaking concepts down so they are understandable and presenting them in an enjoyable manner.(less)
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