Psych audiobook cover - The Story of the Human Mind

Psych

The Story of the Human Mind

Paul Bloom

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Categories:
SciencePsychology

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Mind Map

Psych
Psychology vs. Neuroscience+
Nature vs. Nurture+
Human Motivation+
Biases and Judgments+
The Science of Happiness+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 6
How does Paul Bloom use the analogy of a car to describe the relationship between neuroscience and psychology?
  • A. Neuroscience explains the car's physical makeup, while psychology explains how the parts work together to move you.
  • B. Neuroscience is the driver deciding the destination, while psychology is the engine powering the vehicle.
  • C. Neuroscience fixes the broken parts of the car, while psychology designs the aesthetic look of the vehicle.
  • D. Neuroscience is the fuel that runs the car, while psychology is the map used for navigation.
Question 2 of 6
In the debate on human development, what does the 'nativism' viewpoint suggest, using the analogy of a smartphone?
  • A. Humans are born as a blank slate and must download all knowledge from their environment.
  • B. Humans are born with most of their fundamental capacities already 'pre-loaded.'
  • C. Humans develop their capacities strictly through trial and error experiments.
  • D. Humans only develop complex behaviors after the physical maturation of the brain.
Question 3 of 6
What common explanation for human motivation did Edward Thorndike’s 1937 study—where people were asked how much money it would take to eat a live beetle—help to dispel?
  • A. Humans are primarily motivated by cultural norms and peer pressure.
  • B. Human behavior is entirely dictated by unconscious mental forces.
  • C. People always seek pleasure and avoid pain.
  • D. Instincts passed down through natural selection drive all human actions.
Question 4 of 6
In a 1959 study on cognitive dissonance, why did the participants who were paid only $1 to do a boring task report that they actually enjoyed it?
  • A. They felt dishonorable lying for just a dollar, so they convinced themselves the task was genuinely fun.
  • B. They were promised a larger monetary reward if they gave positive feedback about the task.
  • C. They attributed their boredom to the environment rather than the task itself.
  • D. They wanted to appear highly intelligent and capable to the researchers observing them.
Question 5 of 6
According to the text, which of the following best defines the 'fundamental attribution error'?
  • A. The tendency to credit our own personal effort for our successes and blame uncontrollable factors for our failures.
  • B. The tendency to overestimate our own excellence at just about everything compared to others.
  • C. The tendency to point the finger at another person’s character instead of considering the situational factors.
  • D. The tendency to believe that we are significantly less biased than the average person.
Question 6 of 6
Based on a decade-long study across 166 countries, what was found to be the most significant common quality among people who claimed to be happy?
  • A. An active pursuit of wealth and financial independence.
  • B. Solid relationships and having someone to rely on in times of trouble.
  • C. A high level of physical fitness and strict dietary habits.
  • D. The complete absence of stress and negative emotions.

Psych — Full Chapter Overview

Psych Summary & Overview

Psych (2023) offers an informed, insightful, and approachable overview of psychology, starting with its origins and earliest thought leaders to the most recent findings in modern practice. Based on the author’s popular Introduction to Psychology course developed for Yale University, it uses lively storytelling and studies to easily relate the complex science of the human mind.

Who Should Listen to Psych?

  • Anyone interested in the principles of psychology
  • People seeking scientific explanations for what drives thought and behavior
  • Those eager to learn how people’s minds differ

About the Author: Paul Bloom

Paul Bloom is a professor of psychology at the University of Toronto and the Brooks and Suzanne Ragen Professor Emeritus of psychology and cognitive science at Yale University. A highly-distinguished and award-winning researcher and lecturer, he’s written for publications including Nature, Science, the New York Times, and the New Yorker. Other books Bloom has authored or edited include Against Empathy, Just Babies, and How Pleasure Works.

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