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Human Instinct
 
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Human Instinct [Illustrated] (Hardcover)

by Robert M.L. Winston (Author)
3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Hardcover: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Bantam Press; illustrated edition edition (1 Oct 2002)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 059305024X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0593050248
  • Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 16 x 3.6 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 329,569 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Review
A fascinating investigation of our most basic instincts, accompanying a major 4-part (one hour each) BBC1 television series.

Product Description
Whether or not we know it, our daily lives are shaped by powerful current of instinct. The conscious and unconscious decisions we make are deeply affected by an ancient and universal genetic programme. Our ambition and lust, our drives to compete and to co-operate are essential components of the human mind, forged among our ancestors on the African savannah. Instincts were instrumental in the evolutionary success of the species, and success meant a fondness for sex and violence, for status and wealth - and a will to survive. From ordering lunch to one night stands, human behaviour is still heavily influenced by this genetic agenda. But how well do instincts equip us for the 21st century? Do instincts help or hinder us as we deal with large anonymous cities, low-level stress, the battle of the sexes, and the fracturing of communal life?

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Customer Reviews

12 Reviews
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3 star:
 (2)
2 star:
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Average Customer Review
3.8 out of 5 stars (12 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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82 of 84 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Human Instinct, Robert Winston, 16 Oct 2002
By Ajay Makan (Cambridge) - See all my reviews
Robert Winston's "Human Instinct" provides an in depth overview of a vast area of knowledge - survival, sexual drive, competition, aggression, altruism and our need for something more, perhaps the divine. Right from the start of this book I was impressed. Unlike other "popular science" books on similar subjects, such as Dawkins' "Selfish Gene", Winston never gives us so much detail or specialisation that we lose sight of the topic's wider relevance and interest. He assumes no scientific foreknowledge, but without being oversimplistic. The book offers a gestalt of multiple fields, ranging from the development of the brain and our, often unconscious, methods of choosing a mate, to a well thought out reconciliation of religion and science. While presenting a personal take on the latter, the book as a whole answers essential questions factually, and in an engaging manner. As ever, Winston's distinctive style means that we can never become bored. He draws on his own and common experiences to make the book's content accessible. While we may not initially see how Marc Quinn's sculpture, Indiana Jones and lonely hearts columns have a place in a book of this kind, they offer assurance that our ancient instincts are at the root of more of our twentieth-century lives than we realise. The least scientific reader will be surprised to find this a real page-turner (and I should know, as a history student whose scientific knowledge is limited to his GCSEs). I particularly like Winstons' knack of mentioning a subject we may well know about, like the "Pavlov's dog" phenomenon, but then offering a much fuller picture than that we are familiar with. He explains the individual stages of the experiment and lets us realise for ourselves what its implications were. Other experiments add to the good humoured tone of the book; infants and toddlers were left unwashed and wore the same t-shirt for days. This demonstrated how babies have developed smells that manipulate their fathers into standing by their offspring. We are also offered a graph of Winston's testosterone levels during the England-Argentina World cup match (his testosterone level doubled when Beckham scored his famous penalty!) Winston doesn't state the facts, he explains how the discoveries were made. We see how man has gradually built up a bigger picture and can share some of the excitement felt by those making the finds. This is a really unmissable book for everyone who wishes to complete the inevitable gaps in their everyday knowledge. You'll be shocked by how much of it you refer back to in conversation!
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A stunning insight into what makes us human, 4 Jan 2005
By John Hepburn (London) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Human Instinct (Paperback)
Rarely do you pick up a book which answers so many questions that were at the front of your brain, but never actually articulated. From why men are bigger than women, to the reason for the size of our willies and onto the deeper aspects of emotion, thinking and behaviour this is a stunningly thought-provoking book written in a warm, engaging, humerous and enlightening style. At times I adored Winston's analysis, only to rage at a later assertion. Fantastic! The conversations and arguments I have had on the back of this book make it an absolutely outstanding purchase. And from my own perspective, I now never tire of telling people that if you are not an evolutionary psychologist, then you are not a psychologist at all. Buy it - it's magnificent!
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Human Instinct, 26 Aug 2007
By Spider Monkey (UK) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)   
This review is from: Human Instinct (Paperback)
This is another clear and entertaining book from Robert Winston. Sadly it has many anecdotes and information from his other book 'The Human Mind' in addition to much information from Dawkins 'The Selfish Gene' (which I have to say is a better starting point if this kind of thing interests you). Saying that, if you haven't read either of those books, this will both inform and entertain you. It has Winstons usual conversational style of writing and many insightful moments as you progress through the book. Overall not a bad introduction to popular science or human instinct, but nothing original for those who've read more on this topic.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Deeply disappointing, and very unscientific
I am really surprised that someone who is a genuine scientist would write a book like this. He writes about a lot of theories as if they are fact, when there is very little... Read more
Published 16 months ago by lipstick

5.0 out of 5 stars Savannah mammals
This is a fantastic book. The idea that humans adapted to life on the Savannah over a period of millions of years and will therefore be ill-equiped to handle city life is... Read more
Published on 15 Dec 2006 by T. Geary

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting - but not easy bedtime reading.
The book starts off well and keeps you interested in the origin of the species, however it seems to trail off from 2/3 of the way through. Read more
Published on 7 Sep 2005

5.0 out of 5 stars When you need to know where you came from...and who you are!
Each chapter short, sharp and to the point, it's hard to suggest a scientific book as simple to understand than this one. Read more
Published on 14 Jan 2005 by Marc Ward

3.0 out of 5 stars Human Instinct
hi i did not enjoy reading this book as much as i thought i would.

The book refers to the past when we were monkeys, and how the transformation from monkeys effects us today,... Read more

Published on 3 May 2004

2.0 out of 5 stars Good start (four stars), terrible finish (0 stars)
This is one of the most interesting books in recent years but unfortunately only in part due to its scientific content! Read more
Published on 18 Jan 2004 by A. Mitchell

4.0 out of 5 stars Supplimentary material for the Television series
The book starts off well, staying interesting and informative, providing further explanations those which were offered in the television series. Read more
Published on 8 Jul 2003 by david croucher

3.0 out of 5 stars Food for thought
This was certainly a fascinating book that provides great food for thought. Winston writes clearly and entertainingly on a number of issues that can only be immediately relevant... Read more
Published on 25 April 2003

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