States of Mind is subtitled ‘New Discoveries about How
Our Brains Make Us Who We Are’. It is a collection of essays about
a diverse range of subjects involving the mind. All are written
at an introductory level, so those familiar with psychology may
find the pace too slow. Many of the topics tackle issues about
which there is as yet no clear picture there are two essays on
each of the following: emotions, dreams and mental illness. However,
several of the essays are written by practitioners who are eminent
in their fields, and so merit a read it is an easy read which
will tell you what they think the general public are interested
in from their respective fields.

Three chapters are of particular interest. Allan Hobson presents
an engaging overview of what is known about the physiology and
function of dreaming, while being frank about what is still unknown.
Eric Kandel gives a picture of the neural basis of memory, while
enthusiastically claiming that a full explanation is just over
the horizon. And Jerome Kagan presents a seemingly reductionist
theory of the character difference between introvert and extrovert
people, giving it a simple neural basis which is amplified by
various developmental pathways. Most interesting about his essay
are his reports of fascinating experimental results of studies
of these character differences in children, which lend some plausibility
to his position.

Overall this book may fall between two potential audiences. It
is eminently comprehensible by a general audience, but they may
be put off by the lack of any unifying theme or narrative to draw
them through the whole book. That is, it is in danger of being
picked up and then left aside as boring. There is little new material
for more specialist readers, and they may dislike the pace and
style. However, if readers from either group treat it as a volume
to dip into, they will find plenty to engage their interest.

© 2001 Nicholas Shea

Nicholas Shea is
a Ph.D. student in philosophy of psychology at King’s College,
London.

Categories: General

Tags: Psychology, Neuroscience and Neuropsychology