Amazon.com
What's that squirrel thinking as it runs across the street? Behavioral neuroscientist Marc D. Hauser asks big questions about little brains in Wild Minds: What Animals Really Think. While his subjects aren't accessible for interviews, he believes that we can gain insight into their interior lives by examining their behavior in the context of their social and physical environments. Thus, while comparing the actions of chimps, rats, honeybees, and human infants, he is careful to keep in mind that each of them has different needs that require different kinds of intelligence and emotion and ought not be judged by the same criteria. Looking at counting, mapmaking, self-understanding, deception, and other intelligent activities, Hauser shows that the birds and the bees have more on their minds than we've come to believe. Acknowledging the vast gulf of language that separates our species from all others, he still maintains that this tool is but one of many and is no better an indication of "superior" intelligence than is the bat's fantastically well-developed echolocation system. In the last chapter, Hauser looks at moral behavior and decides that animals can be "moral patients but not moral agents"--that is, their inability to attribute mental states to others keeps them blameless for their actions but their sensitivity to suffering earns them fair treatment from the rest of us. Whether or not you agree with that, you're sure to find Wild Minds a refreshing look at the thoughts of our mute cousins. --Rob Lightner
Book Description
Do animals think? Can they count? Do they have emotions? Do they feel anger, frustration, hurt, or sorrow? Are they bound by any moral code? At last, here is a book that provides authoritative answers to these long-standing questions. Most pop-science books tend to anthropomorphize and romanticize animals, presenting them as furry little humans or as creatures that cannot think or feel at all. Marc Hauser, an acclaimed scientist in the field of animal cognition, uses insights from evolutionary theory and cognitive science to examine animal thought without such biases or preconceptions. For example, do species that share food or travel in large groups have greater innate mathematical abilities? Hauser treats animals neither as machines devoid of feeling nor as extensions of humans, but as independent beings driven by their own complex impulses. In prose that is both elegant and edifying, Hauser describes his groundbreaking research in the field, leading his readers on what David Premack, author of The Mind of an Ape, calls "a masterful tour of the animal mind."
Customer Reviews:
Tons of Experiments on nonhuman animals and infants.......2006-02-24
This book is very nice to read. It discusses a myriad of experiments conducted on nonhuman animals, mainly chimpanzees, but also pigeons, insects, rats, among other animals. Each chapter discusses a different topic: math cognition, spatial reasoning, morality in aniamls, self-awareness, among others. One little thing I did not like about this book is that Dr. Hauser is overcritical of almost all experiments, even though those very arguments can be said about his own experiments! The book overall provides a lot of information about animal behavior--and mind.
Shaping minds.......2005-04-05
Studies of human cognition inevitably raise the question: "Are other animals 'conscious'?". This immediately leads to a more perplexing question: "What is consciousness?". With the concept still but vaguely defined in human terms, asking it of the other animals evokes a host of difficulties. Hauser, to his credit, makes a worthwhile attempt to deal with both questions. In this sweeping survey, he declares that simplistic approaches to how the various primates deal with life are misplaced. There is a range of animal awareness out there, shaped by the forces of natural selection. Each species must be studied carefully and intensively, both in controlled and wild conditions. And the work, he insists, has barely started.
He combines his field experience with the work of many researchers in revealing facets of consciousness. Hauser's study was stimulated by a young monkey giving him a hug. He calls these elements "mental tool kits". By this he explains that similar conditions generate similar responses in the animal. This suggests there are probably areas in the brain common across many species. When conditions change, however, the response may vary wildly, indicating dissimilarity in capacity. A startling contrast is the range of food storage sites among different species. A dog may bury a bone in the garden, but a Clark's Nutcracker can stash up to thirty thousand seeds in six thousand locations - and find most of them the following Spring. Hauser calls this ability "cognitive mapping" - a special talent derived over long evolutionary time. Other animals have the role of "space travelers", although Clark's must hold some kind of record.
"Self-awareness" is an all-encompassing term. In the largest and most significant part of the book, Hauser dodges the vague, but common, phrase, replacing it with "self-recognition". This term is a more measurable aspect of cognition. Experiments with mirrors demonstrate that some primates know who they're looking at, while others see intruders or remain indifferent. Strangely, some birds seem to recognise themselves in reflected images. Expressing self-awareness means communicating. For us, that's done with speech or writing. With other creatures, other forms of expression must be inferred from observation. Deception is a commonly used test. An animal aware of itself, and aware of others as well, is likely to derive the other's intent. When another's intention can be directed, and the deceiver gains from that guiding, individuality seems enhanced. How far we can take such analyses is one of Hauser's calls for more research.
Language and thought are far too closely aligned in the minds of most researchers, Hauser believes. That link restricts "real" thoughts to those that can express them in words - in short, only humans. Hauser counters that thought is something we can interpret from actions - and the greater the variance in action, the better. He looks back at our evolutionary beginnings through the eyes of today's primates. Thought, he argues was there - language was a gloss that came later. The implication is that researchers need to try fresh approaches to studying how "wild minds" can be better understood. The result is the growth of a new discipline, cognitive ethology which encompasses a wide range of species who have, or might possess, thoughts we can identify. This book is a major step in furthering that new field. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]
Not definitive........2004-12-28
This is a report of ongoing studies, by many in different fields, of whether animals experience "moral emotions, feelings such as guilt, shame and embarrassment", if they're capable of inhibiting their own desires, if they "understand the impact of their" decisions, etc. I'm not sure how objective Mr. Hauser is however as, to me, he seems determined to have his opinion prevail as I can't recall one study he's accepted as valid. I'm sorry too that the studies are not definitive.
too much "we'll never really know".......2003-07-08
His style is a little flat: a scientist writing for popular audience and trying really hard not to talk down. But he organizes the subject really well and clearly, with chapters on tools, numbers, spatial navegation, sense of self, language, moral reasoning. Each one synthesizes a large amount of scientific research on both animals and children, with interesting anecdotes.
The preface makes it clear he's writing against sentimental popular books on the subject that treat animal as being like humans inside, and themselves attack "the scientists." But this book gives a dreary image of the scientists. Each chapter describes some amazing abilities of different animals, describes some exhausting, repetitive experiments to document (it often seems) a small part of what was already suspected, and then concludes that as to the most important part -- "what animals really think" -- science doesn't know. But (drearily), they probably aren't conscious.
He should be clearer than he is in summarizing what the experiments have shown, and in particular about the differences in cognitive performance (not "real thought") btw adult and infant humans, primates (his main interest), birds (who get less attention), rats (still less), and social insects (who make a few star turns).
Subtitle should be how animals and human minds differ.......2003-01-16
Hauser has written a remarkably accessible introduction to comparative psychology. While containing the main points one might expect in a textbook outline, he does an excellent job of presenting this information in an interesting narrative form.
Hauser begins with an introductory chapter that presents his basic approach and cautions against anthropomorphisms.
Chapters two through four comprise a unit that focuses on those mental capacities shared by animals and human beings. Both can identify objects and predict their movement. Both can distinguish quantity. Both can navigate through space. Perhaps it takes a course in cognitive psychology to appreciate these commonalities, but I believe that Hauser does an excellent job of presenting research results for lay consumption. His presentation of animal and human infant studies of the expectancy-violation principle is alone worth the cost of the book.
The second section, chapters five through seven, focus on mental capacities which seem to be qualitatively common in animals and humans, but quantitatively distinct. Hauser presents a well-balanced account of the evidence for self-awareness, teaching, and deception among animals.
The final section contains two chapters on mental capacities that appear to be almost unique to human beings - language and morality. Hauser's careful review of animal communication is amazing, as is his locus of morality in the ability to inhibit selfish tendencies to maintain social conventions.
I recommend this book without reservation. No reader will regret spending time with this book. It is quite stimulating.
Average customer rating:
|
Wild Minds: What Animal Really Think
Marc Hauser
Manufacturer: Allen Lane
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
 General
| Evolution
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Zoology
| Biological Sciences
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Zoology
| Biological Sciences
| Professional Science
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0713994711 |
Customer Reviews:
Sophisticated principles for basketball thoroughbreds.......2004-05-16
"Attacking Zone Defenses(second edition)," by John Kresse provides sophisticated basketball principles for basketball thoroughbreds. This three part book is comprehensive and well written...it is also very motivational. However, in my opinion part one...which includes chapters on; basic principles, rules to win by; the balanced machine; and planning each trip downcourt can help teams that are 13-years old and under.
Parts two and three are outstanding but geared much more for coaches who have experienced players who have a strong knowledge of the game and who have developed advanced basketball skills. Nevertheless, this is a valuable book for all AAU or high school coachs who want a frame by frame breakdown of the 2-1-2, 2-3, 1-2-2, 3-2 and 1-3-1 defensive zones. Coach Kresse is a very talented coach and provides solid instructions on how to teach great execution.
Kresse played for and coached with legendary New York basketball coaches Joe Lapchick and Lou Carnesecca at St. Johns University and also with the New York Nets of the American Basketball Association. And although Coach Kresse has a rich basketball history he teaches many new generation techniques. Overall, this book presents good ideas for a successful basketball program. Recommended.
Bert Ruiz
The game has changed. Learn the new zone attack........1999-03-06
Beat the zone by creating triangles and passing was how it was taught in my day. Today you'll see the same fundamentals enhanced with picks, back picks, and gap dribbling... heresy 25 years ago. This book teaches the new concepts that are essential to coaching today. I read it cover to cover and now use it as an important reference.
if you are an X's and O's technician - great book!.......1998-12-20
The book has many many zone offenses. Some against specific zones and some good for any zone. They are mostly continuities. Very detailed descriptions for each offense, very thorough and effective. I adopted one zone offense for my 8th grade team and achieved immediate results.
Book Description
A comprehensive review of the concepts, principles, and fundamentals involved in playing zone offenses. Includes chapters on how to beat zones, individual positions and job descriptions, zone offense terminology, entries and quick hitters, offensive sets and continuity against zone defenses, and more. Contains almost 100 diagrams and detailed descriptions.
Customer Reviews:
Valuable guide for attacking complex defenses.......2004-05-16
Every good youth AAU basketball coach should know his or her limits. In my case, the trademark of most of our teams is usually to play tough defense. To this end, our defensive pressure generates plentiful scoring opportunites. However, as my teams climbed into the tougher AAU tounaments and faced nationally ranked clubs I found our style was lacking and we needed a vast improvement in our ability to execute a reliable zone offense.
Consequently, I found, "Coaching Zone Offenses," by Bob Huggins is an excellent guide to help teams score against complex defenses. Coach Huggins does a good job of providing zone offenses in all shapes and sizes. The key of course...as Huggins points out is to immediately identify what type of zone defense you are facing and then to make the appropriate adjustments.
The Huggins "quick hitters" and "penetration & pitch" plays are easy to teach and valuable tools for getting quality shots during offensive opportunities. We found the low post "kick-out to wing," play a reliable offensive set against good zone defenses. Certainly, the overload and ball reversal plays that Huggins recommendes open scoring opportunites on offense as well. Coach Huggins is also a master of stacks and offers sound ideas on how to consistently crash the boards on offense.
Overall, this is a great book for coaches looking to prepare youth players for serious AAU or high school basketball competition. The narrative in this text is well written and the many diagrams are easy to understand. Recommended for coaches looking for more offensive options.
Bert Ruiz
Awesome Book! Must have!.......2003-01-07
This book is terrific. Bob Huggins (U. of Cincinnati) gives you every weapon you need to embarrass any kind of zone defense. 1. Overview of how to beat Zones. 2. Player Job descriptions and placement of personnel. 3. Terminology. 4. Techniques (and drills). 5.Entries and quick hitters. 6.Zone offensive sets.
This book is a great tool. You'll never have a problem scoring against a zone defense again. The author makes it clear WHY you setup the way he suggests, and WHY the offensive principles work. The best part is that he provides drills that make it easy to teach your team everything they need to know to be effective.
This is a must-buy. It's a great weapon.
Average customer rating:
|
Attacking Zone Defenses in Basketball
J. Richard
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Look Inside Sports Books
| Trip
| Specialty Stores
| Books
General
| Sports
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0130502456 |
Product Description
Covers objectives of zone offense, zone offenses you need,responsibilities of players, etc. through text, diagrams, charts.
Book Description
Find a treasure chest of ideas for your batiks! Get inspired to play with the brilliant colors and dramatic motifs of batik fabrics with this visual feast of batik quilts. Then follow techniques and patterns that will give you the confidence to dive into your collection and stitch up rich, color-splashed quilts.
· Choose from 18 spectacular projects, from small wall quilts to full-size bed quilts, that showcase the vibrant hues and exotic designs of batik abrics
· Use simple-to-stitch shapes based on classic blocks and patterns, plus find tips for combining batiks with traditional quilting fabrics
· Learn about the ancient art form of batik, which uses a combination of waxes and dyes to make intricate patterns on fabric
· Enhance your quilts with a variety of exciting options for borders and settings that will dazzle the eye
Find the inspiration to start stitching your batiks today with this book of beautiful quilts for batik lovers and fabric lovers everywhere!
Customer Reviews:
Wonderful Book with lots of eye candy.......2003-09-14
The book contains lots of information on Batiks and many beautiful pictures. I took a class by Laurie Shifrin, we did the "Behind the Shadows" quilt from the book, page 54. Not only is she a great author, but in person is very friendly and always ready to offer encouragement. She will be releasing a new book sometime this winter. I got a sneak preview during a trunk show and believe me the color and fabric combinations are eye-catching. The only complaint I have with the book is that it doesn't contain the block sizes.
Excellent patterns for any fabric.......2003-02-16
In this book, Laurie talks about the history of batiks and about how they are made today. She also talks about how to buy Batiks, and how to tell the real Batiks apart from the look-alikes. I also see instructions on caring and protecting your Batik fabric. However, not as much about this as I expected.
This book also has a lot of basic quiltmaking instructions. If this was the only book I owned, I would be able to finish a quilt right down to the binding. There's not too much on quilting patterns because she feels the batiks speak for themselves so the quilts don't need too much quilting.
I am not a person who likes the Batik fabrics, but I love the patterns in this book just using my fabrics. Most of the patterns are simple rotary cutting quilts using squares, rectangles and triangles. I did see a few quilts that use applique or a template.
The directions are simple to follow and well illustrated. Laurie has also rated each pattern by skill level. I'm a beginner, but with these directions, I feel I could successfully and easily complete every one.
Wonderful for any Fabrics.......2003-02-14
In this book, Laurie talks about the history of batiks and about how they are made today. She also talks about how to buy Batiks, and how to tell the real Batiks apart from the look-alikes. I also see instructions on caring and protecting your Batik fabric. However, not as much about this as I expected.
This book also has a lot of basic quiltmaking instructions. If this was the only book I owned, I would be able to finish a quilt right down to the binding. There's not too much on quilting patterns because she feels the batiks speak for themselves so the quilts don't need too much quilting.
I am not a person who likes the Batik fabrics, but I love the patterns in this book just using my fabrics. Most of the patterns are simple rotary cutting quilts using squares, rectangles and triangles. I did see a few quilts that use applique or a template.
The directions are simple to follow and well illustrated. Laurie has also rated each pattern by skill level. I'm a beginner, but with these directions, I feel I could successfully and easily complete every one.
Gorgeous photos of gorgeous batik quilts! Excellent!.......2001-12-03
This book is eye-candy for those who love batik fabrics. The author provides 18 patterns for quilts made with batiks. She also provides in interesting introduction and background info on batik fabric and how it is made. Very readable book, with beautiful quilt patterns. But the best part of this book is in simply ooohing and ahhhing over the photos of batik fabrics. Lovely!!
Great Batik Quilt design source.......2001-11-27
Batik Beauties lives up to its title. The gorgeous array of quilts will entice anyone who has a love of fabrics. Laurie Shifrin shows you in clear, easy steps how to combine luscious batiks to create a prize quilt, which not only does justice to the fabric, but is an eye-catcher either on the wall or the bed. This book can take the frustration out of creating a masterpiece as Ms. Shifrin, who has a special eye for combining color and pattern, categorizes the different batik designs and then guides you to create an effective combination. Her instructions are clearly written and well illustrated and she offers designs which appeal to a variety of tastes.
Books:
- Wildlife of the Galapagos (Princeton Illustrated Checklists)
- Yellow Eyes (Posleen War Series #8)
- A Different Kind of Country
- A Field Guide to the Atlantic Seashore: From the Bay of Fundy to Cape Hatteras (Peterson Field Guides(R))
- A Guide to Night Sounds: The Nighttime Sounds of 60 Mammals, Birds, Amphibians, and Insects
- A Hunter's Wanderings in Africa: Being a Narrative of Nine Years Spent Amongst the Game of the Far Interior of South Africa (Resnick Library of African Adventure, No. 6.)
- Amphibian Medicine and Captive Husbandry
- Anatomy and Physiology for Speech, Language & Hearing
- Animal Liberation
- Animal Rights & Human Morality
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Executive Charisma: Six Steps to Mastering the Art of Leadership
- Color Schemes Made Easy
- Transportes González e Hija
- Warehouse Distribution and Operations Handbook
- You Haven't Taught Until They Have Learned: John Wooden's Teaching Principles and Practices
- Art and the French Commune
- Animal Migration, Orientation and Navigation
- Macromedia FreeHand 10 for Windows & Macintosh
- Unfolding the Eco-wave - Why Renewal is Pivotal
- International Marketing Data and Statistics 1999
The Dog's Mind: Understanding Your Dog's Behavior (Howell Reference Books)
Moral Minds: How Nature Designed Our Universal Sense of Right and Wrong
Minding Animals: Awareness, Emotions, and Heart
Dog Language: An Encyclopedia of Canine Behavior
If You Tame Me: Understanding Our Connection With Animals (Animals, Culture, and Society)
