Understanding the Mysteries of Human Behavior

By: Mark Leary, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Mark Leary

Length: 12 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Every day of your life is spent surrounded by mysteries that involve what appear to be rather ordinary human behaviors. What makes you happy? Where did your personality come from? Why do you have trouble controlling certain behaviors? Why do you behave differently as an adult than you did as an adolescent?

Since the start of recorded history, and probably even before, people have been interested in answering questions about why we behave the way we do. And many fields - including philosophy, psychology, and even theology - are focused on finding explanations. But it's only in recent decades that researchers can finally approach, understand, and solve the mysteries of emotion, thought, and behavior - solutions that help each of us to better know ourselves and the people around us. The result is not only a more solid understanding of what it means to be human, but a stronger foundation from which to live more effectively with others and to grasp their intricate behaviors and quirks.

Now you can gain those benefits through a series of 24 intriguing lectures from an award-winning teacher. Professor Leary takes you on a fascinating journey into the complex heart of who you are, using the latest theories, case studies, experiments, and stories to cast light on a wide variety of human behaviors, both ordinary and puzzling.

Throughout these lectures, you'll learn about the various interacting forces that influence your behavior. These include your genetic blueprint, your personal experiences, your upbringing, and the people and social groups that surround you.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2012 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2012 The Great Courses

Good, but doesn’t even mention intelligent design

With some of the questions, such as consciousness, it is obvious that there’s more to the story as the presenter points out, however, the question of intelligent design is omitted entirely.

Dude sounds like Tom Hanks!

This brilliant series of lectures was made that much more enjoyable due to the fact I imagined it was given by Tom Hanks, sitting on a bench in Savannah, eating chocolates. Way to go Tom…. I mean Mark.

Excellent and entertaining lectures!

These lectures were all to the point. I felt that I was learning every minute and the topics were interesting and related to those things I am sure you wonder about human nature. I could go over these lectures again!

Excellent start for the uninitiated in psychology!

If you could sum up Understanding the Mysteries of Human Behavior in three words, what would they be?

I have always been intrigued by psychology, but thought it to be more of mumbo jumbo for me..till i landed upon this course. It has been a revealing journey into the world of psychology. Professor Leary has touched wide ranging topics, from day to day behaviors to esoteric aspects such as extra sensory perceptions, psychic powers etc.. More importantly the course is structured and told in a very engaging manner.

Someone who is already aware of these aspects may not gain much..however it gives a very good primer to people who always wondered on why certain people are of certain types but could not find pointers to such answers..

Intelligence and Energy

The topic was very interesting and the lecturer spoke about the topic with so much energy and passion. It was thought provoking and informative as well.

Amazing

Never been so moved and interested before in an audio book as much as I was for this one

Super Interesting

I really enjoyed listening to this audio book and would highly recommend it to others.

Life Changing!!

These lectures on the mysteries of human behavior give a basic understanding of how and why people act the way they do. This basic level of understanding is just enough to get you to start really thinking about why someone is acting the way they are in your day to day life. Adding this layer into your daily thought process might just change your life.

Great!

I absolutely loved this lesson. The speaker was great. I definitely recommend to anyone curious about how the brain works when we are put in certain situations. Very educational, gives you a different view of everyday situations.

Loved it!

This audiobook was phenomenal listen from beginning to end. It's the sort of course everyone should learn.