Neuropsychology Books: The Best Reads About the Brain and Psychology

In the quest to understand the human mind and its complex workings, neuropsychology stands as a fascinating frontier. This field, bridging the gap between psychology and brain science, offers insights into how our brains shape our behaviors, emotions, and thoughts.

In recent years, a number of compelling books have been written by esteemed experts in this field, making the intricate world of neuropsychology accessible to everyone.

These books not only unravel the mysteries of the brain but also offer profound insights into human nature itself. From the biochemical underpinnings of our emotions to the neural pathways that govern our decisions, these works illuminate the most intimate workings of our minds.

Let’s delve into some of the best neuropsychology books that provide a captivating exploration of the brain and psychology.

“The Molecule of More: How a Single Chemical in Your Brain Drives Love, Sex, and Creativity — and Will Determine the Fate of the Human Race” by Daniel Z. Lieberman and Michael E. Long.

This book delves into the fascinating world of dopamine, a key neurotransmitter in our brain. This book, a mix of neuroscience and psychology, explores how dopamine influences our desires, behaviors, and even our societal structures.

Dopamine, the authors argue, is the chemical of desire, constantly driving us towards more — more experiences, more stimulation, more novelty. It’s what pushes an ambitious businessperson to reach the pinnacle of success or a content partner to seek excitement outside a relationship. This pursuit of ‘more’ is undeterred by emotions, fear, or morality. The book posits that dopamine isn’t just about the joy of obtaining something; it’s the thrill of the chase, the anticipation of something new that truly drives us.

Lieberman and Long delve into how dopamine shapes our behaviors in love, business, addiction, politics, and religion, offering a fresh perspective on why we act the way we do. They present a fascinating thesis: many seemingly unrelated human behaviors — from why people cheat to why diets often fail, and even why the brains of liberals and conservatives differ — can be traced back to dopamine’s influence.

Both authors bring unique perspectives to this exploration. Daniel Z. Lieberman, M.D., a professor and psychiatrist, and Michael E. Long, an award-winning writer and lecturer, combine their expertise to create a narrative that is as educational as it is engaging. The book has received praise for its ability to make complex neuroscience accessible to a general audience, providing insights into the human condition through the lens of a single molecule.

“Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain” by David Eagleman.

Eagleman, an American neuroscientist and adjunct professor at Stanford University, navigates through the subconscious brain to reveal its astonishing mysteries. The book, a New York Times bestseller, delves into the distinction between the conscious and unconscious mind, embodying the central theme: “If the conscious mind—the part you consider to be you—is just the tip of the iceberg, what is the rest doing?”

Eagleman contends that most of our brain’s operations are beyond our conscious awareness. He likens the conscious mind to a stowaway on a transatlantic ship, unaware of the massive engineering occurring beneath. This insight, that much of our behavior is driven by unseen forces within our minds, has significant implications, particularly for the justice system, which Eagleman addresses thoroughly. For instance, he discusses the infamous case of Charles Whitman, the University of Texas sniper, whose post-mortem examination revealed a brain tumor impinging on areas linked to aggression and fear, suggesting a neurological underpinning to his actions.

The book challenges the traditional view of the legal system, which assumes that most people can make decisions, control impulses, and understand consequences equally. Eagleman argues for a more nuanced approach, taking into account brain inequalities and focusing on “modifiability,” which considers the potential for rehabilitation based on individual neurological factors.

“Incognito” covers a wide array of intriguing topics, from brain damage, drugs, and infidelity to synesthesia, criminal law, and visual illusions. Eagleman’s exploration reveals how much of our behavior, thoughts, and feelings are orchestrated by unseen processes in our brain, raising profound questions about the nature of human identity and decision-making. The book has been praised for its clear, relatable prose and its ability to make complex neuroscience accessible to a general audience. It offers a unique perspective on the human brain, encouraging readers to rethink their understanding of themselves and the world around them.

“The Brain that Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science” by Norman Doidge.

A groundbreaking book that introduces readers to the concept of neuroplasticity. This concept, which was once considered radical, has now transformed our understanding of the brain. Doidge, a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, presents a collection of compelling case studies and stories that illustrate the brain’s remarkable ability to change and adapt.

The book, divided into 11 chapters, narrates the personal triumphs of individuals whose lives were transformed by harnessing the power of neuroplasticity. These stories range from patients who recovered the use of paralyzed body parts to those who learned to hear after being deaf. Doidge also covers the work of pioneers in neuroplasticity research, shedding light on how their discoveries have impacted the field of neuroscience.

One of the key themes of the book is the resilience of the human brain. For example, in one chapter, Doidge discusses Barbara Arrowsmith Young’s case, highlighting how children and adults can overcome learning disabilities through specific mental exercises. Another chapter delves into the work of Michael Merzenich, a neuroscientist known for his brain-mapping techniques and brain-training exercises.

The book also addresses the darker aspects of neuroplasticity, such as its role in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and the phenomenon of phantom pain. Doidge illustrates how psychotherapy and, in some cases, drugs can help rewire the brain’s connections to overcome these conditions.

Doidge’s exploration goes beyond individual case studies, discussing broader implications for human culture, learning, and history. His work has been recognized for using accessible language to make complex neurobiological concepts understandable to a general audience. “The Brain That Changes Itself” has been praised for its journalistic richness and scientific depth, offering insights not only into the brain’s capabilities but also into human potential and resilience.

“Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst” by Robert M. Sapolsky.

Sapolsky offers a comprehensive exploration of the science of human behavior through an interdisciplinary lens. Published in 2017, this extensive work, about 700 pages long, delves into evolutionary psychology, genetics and epigenetics, neurobiology, endocrinology, and primatology, among other fields. Sapolsky, a primatologist and neuroscientist, presents this intricate subject matter in a style that is both accessible and occasionally humorous, making it appealing to a wide audience.

Sapolsky’s major focus in “Behave” is to understand the dichotomy of human behavior: how we are capable of both remarkable altruism and destructive actions. He seeks to answer how behaviors occur at all, using a backward chronological framework, starting from what happens in the brain and body seconds before a behavior, moving back through the stages of human development, and going as far back as human evolution. This structure allows Sapolsky to integrate various biological determinants of behavior into a multifaceted analysis.

In the second half of the book, Sapolsky tackles specific aspects of human behavior, such as the formation of in-groups and out-groups, the nature of morality, empathy versus sympathy, war, and crime. He emphasizes that the complexity of these behaviors is rooted in basic brain functions and argues that understanding these behaviors scientifically is essential for creating a more peaceful and informed world.

“Behave” has been praised for its depth, scope, and Sapolsky’s engaging writing style. However, some readers may find his narrative technique, which involves frequently pausing and promising to return to complex issues in later chapters, somewhat distracting. Despite this, the book offers valuable insights into the interplay of nature and nurture, showcasing the intricate workings of the brain and its influence on behavior. Sapolsky effectively illustrates the brain’s complexity and its remarkable ability to adapt and evolve.

The book also includes helpful illustrations, clear summaries, and memorable anecdotes. Sapolsky’s discussions often confirm common sense but also challenge conventional assumptions, offering fresh perspectives on topics like the effects of chemicals on the brain and the evolution of brain functions.

“How the Mind Works” by Steven Pinker.

“How the Mind Works,” published in 1997, is an influential book that seeks to explain some of the human mind’s most enigmatic functions and peculiarities through an evolutionary perspective. Pinker, a Canadian-American cognitive psychologist, draws heavily on the principles of evolutionary psychology, a paradigm articulated by John Tooby and Leda Cosmides, to explore a range of topics including vision, emotion, feminism, and the meaning of life.

In this book, Pinker argues for both a computational theory of mind and a neo-Darwinist, adaptationist approach to evolution, which he views as central components of evolutionary psychology. He explores how various biological processes, shaped by natural selection, have led to the development of the human mind as a system of “organs of computation.” These systems, according to Pinker, have evolved to allow our ancestors to understand and outsmart objects, animals, plants, and each other.

Pinker approaches the study of the mind from a psychological and cognitive perspective, incorporating insights from computer science, anthropology, evolutionary biology, and philosophy. The book delves into how the mind evolved and how it allows us to perform everyday feats like talking, walking, and making friends. Pinker presents his definition of the mind, distinguishing it from the brain, and explores its connection to intelligence and consciousness.

The book also addresses complex mental processes such as vision, knowledge, learning, and ideas, and speculates on topics like emotions, friendship, and reasoning. Pinker examines how emotions help humans prioritize goals and argues that social harmony is a product of natural selection and adaptation. He discusses gender differences in the mind, asserting that males and females are remarkably similar in this regard.

“How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain” by Lisa Feldman Barrett.

In his book, Barrett, an American neuroscientist and professor, challenges the classical view of emotions as universally felt, perceived, and hardwired in specific brain regions. Instead, she proposes the “theory of constructed emotion,” arguing that emotions are constructed by the brain’s predictive processes based on past experiences, external stimuli, bodily functions, and culturally taught concepts.

The book begins with an overview of the history of emotion science and critiques common misconceptions about emotions, such as the idea that they are built-in from birth and triggered by external events. Barrett’s extensive research failed to identify universal “fingerprints” for emotions, demonstrating the wide variety of expressions and physical reactions that can lead to the same emotional feeling.

Barrett argues that the brain constructs “emotion concepts” based on past experiences and present circumstances. She views humans as active constructors of their emotions, with the ability to create these concepts varying greatly based on genetics, personal experiences, and cultural socialization. She critically examines psychological studies that claimed to show a universal experience and understanding of emotion, revealing biases toward the classical view and the significant role of context in perceiving others’ emotions.

The book delves into the origins of feelings and introduces interoception—the brain’s ability to process external and internal stimuli. Barrett explores how feelings originate and are influenced by the brain’s control networks and interoceptive networks, which work together to generate predictive thoughts and emotion concepts.

Barrett also discusses the influence of culture and language on developing emotion concepts, arguing that human brains are wired for social culture, which in turn influences brain development. She contends that without learning the word labels and associations of a particular culture, it is difficult to feel and perceive that culture’s specific emotion concepts.

In later chapters, Barrett applies her research to mental health management, the legal system, and the question of whether animals feel emotion. She concludes that while animals experience affect, they may not form emotion concepts due to the lack of language.

“The Mind-Gut Connection: How the Hidden Conversation Within Our Bodies Impacts Our Mood, Our Choices, and Our Overall Health” by Emeran Mayer.

This book explores the intricate relationship between the brain, gut, and the microbiome (the community of microorganisms living inside the digestive tract). Dr. Mayer, a leading expert in the neurobiology of stress and resilience, provides a comprehensive look into the emerging science of the mind-gut connection.

The book delves into how our emotions, decisions, and overall health are significantly influenced by the dialogue between our gut and brain. Mayer explains how this communication system, when out of balance, can lead to various health problems, including digestive disorders, moodiness, anxiety, and major neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

Drawing from his vast experience as a gastroenterologist, Mayer incorporates cutting-edge neuroscience and discoveries about the human microbiome. He offers practical advice on how to maintain a healthy mind-gut dialogue, including a focus on a plant-based diet, balancing the microbiome with fermented foods and probiotics, and cutting out sugar and processed foods.

“The Mind-Gut Connection” is a blend of scientific research, patient stories, and personal anecdotes, providing evidence-based recommendations for optimizing the mind-gut communication. It’s an informative guide for anyone interested in the profound impact of the gut-brain connection on our wellbeing.