Synopses & Reviews
andlt;Pandgt;William Uttal is concerned that in an effort to prove itself a hard science, psychology may have thrown away one of its most important methodological tools--a critical analysis of the fundamental assumptions that underlie day-to-day empirical research. In this book Uttal addresses the question of localization: whether psychological processes can be defined and isolated in a way that permits them to be associated with particular brain regions.New, noninvasive imaging technologies allow us to observe the brain while it is actively engaged in mental activities. Uttal cautions, however, that the excitement of these new research tools can lead to a neuroreductionist wild goose chase. With more and more cognitive neuroscientific data forthcoming, it becomes critical to question their limitations as well as their potential. Uttal reviews the history of localization theory, presents the difficulties of defining cognitive processes, and examines the conceptual and technical difficulties that should make us cautious about falling victim to what may be a "neo-phrenological" fad.andlt;/Pandgt;
Review
"This is an exciting book...." Vanja Kljajevic Metapsychology The MIT Press
Review
andquot;This is an exciting book....andquot;
-- Vanja Kljajevic, Metapsychology
Review
"Uttal's new book The New Phrenology is an iconoclastic attack on even the possibility of the localization of cognitive function in the brain. Criticizing attempts from Lashley to today, Uttal is particularly scathing about current studies of imaging the human brain."--Charles Gross, Department of Psychology, Princeton University The MIT Press
Review
"With the recent explosion of new imaging methods allowing us to visualize the thinking brain, now is the perfect time to reconsider the question being addressed in this monograph--can psychological processes be localized? William Uttal's answer is provocative, yet well balanced; while it serves as a statement of caution, it is also encouraging. Anyone interested in how the brain works will enjoy and benefit from reading this treatise."--Mark D'Esposito, Director, Henry H. Wheeler, Jr. Brain Imaging Center, University of California, Berkeley The MIT Press
Review
andlt;Pandgt;"Uttal's new book The New Phrenology is an iconoclastic attack on even the possibility of the localization of cognitive function in the brain. Criticizing attempts from Lashley to today, Uttal is particularly scathing about current studies of imaging the human brain."--Charles Gross, Department of Psychology, Princeton Universityandlt;/Pandgt; The MIT Press The MIT Press
Review
andlt;Pandgt;"With the recent explosion of new imaging methods allowing us to visualize the thinking brain, now is the perfect time to reconsider the question being addressed in this monograph--can psychological processes be localized? William Uttal's answer is provocative, yet well balanced; while it serves as a statement of caution, it is also encouraging. Anyone interested in how the brain works will enjoy and benefit from reading this treatise."--Mark D'Esposito, Director, Henry H. Wheeler, Jr. Brain Imaging Center, University of California, Berkeleyandlt;/Pandgt; The MIT Press
Review
andlt;Pandgt;"This is an exciting book...." Vanja Kljajevic Metapsychologyandlt;/Pandgt;
Synopsis
William Uttal is concerned that in an effort to prove itself a hard science, psychology may have thrown away one of its most important methodological tools--a critical analysis of the fundamental assumptions that underlie day-to-day empirical research. In this book Uttal addresses the question of localization: whether psychological processes can be defined and isolated in a way that permits them to be associated with particular brain regions.New, noninvasive imaging technologies allow us to observe the brain while it is actively engaged in mental activities. Uttal cautions, however, that the excitement of these new research tools can lead to a neuroreductionist wild goose chase. With more and more cognitive neuroscientific data forthcoming, it becomes critical to question their limitations as well as their potential. Uttal reviews the history of localization theory, presents the difficulties of defining cognitive processes, and examines the conceptual and technical difficulties that should make us cautious about falling victim to what may be a "neo-phrenological" fad.
Synopsis
New, noninvasive imaging technologies allow us to observe the brain while it is actively engaged in mental activities. Uttal cautions, however, that the excitement of these new research tools can lead to a neuroreductionist wild goose chase. With more and more cognitive neuroscientific data forthcoming, it becomes critical to question their limitations as well as their potential. Uttal reviews the history of localization theory, presents the difficulties of defining cognitive processes, and examines the conceptual and technical difficulties that should make us cautious about falling victim to what may be a neo-phrenological fad.
Synopsis
Addresses the question of localization: whether psychological processes can be defined and isolated in a way that permits them to be associated with particular brain regions.
Synopsis
William Uttal is concerned that in an effort to prove itself a hard science, psychology may have thrown away one of its most important methodological tools--a critical analysis of the fundamental assumptions that underlie day-to-day empirical research. In this book Uttal addresses the question of localization: whether psychological processes can be defined and isolated in a way that permits them to be associated with particular brain regions.
About the Author
Mark J. Cherry, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy atSaint Edward's University, in Austin, Texas. He is Editor-in-Chief ofHealthcare Ethics Committee Forum, Assistant Editor of The Journal ofMedicine and Philosophy, and an Associate Editor of Christian Bioethics.He also has edited Persons and Their Bodies: Rights, Responsibilities, Relationships(Kluwer Academic Press, 1999) and was coeditor of AllocatingScarce Medical Resources: Roman Catholic Perspectives (GeorgetownUniversity Press, 2002).