Donald O. Hebb

Pioneers of Human Behaviour: Donald O. Hebb
A Gateway to His Life, Theories, and Legacy

Donald O. Hebb transformed psychology by insisting that learning is not a mystery of the mind but a change in the brain itself. With the unforgettable idea that “neurons that fire together, wire together,” he bridged behaviour and biology, opening the door to modern neuroscience, neurorehabilitation, and even artificial intelligence.

This concise yet powerful volume distils Hebb’s life and work into clear, engaging chapters. From a Nova Scotian childhood shaped by two physician parents to his landmark book The Organization of Behaviour (1949), it offers both a portrait of the man and a gateway into the principles of neural plasticity that still guide research and practice today.

Alongside an accessible exploration of Hebb’s theories, you’ll discover:

• How cell assemblies and phase sequences explain perception, memory, and thought

• Why enriched environments boost learning—and what that means for classrooms and workplaces

• The key experiments and findings that anticipated long-term potentiation and modern plasticity research

• How Hebb’s logic underpins rehabilitation, CBT, exposure therapies, and habit change

• The surprising links between Hebb’s rule and today’s neural networks and deep learning

Part biography, part theory guide, and part practical reflection, this book shows how Hebb rewired the foundations of psychology and why his ideas matter now more than ever. It is written to be accessible without oversimplifying, making it an ideal companion for students, professionals, and curious readers alike.

The Pioneers of Human Behaviour series celebrates the lives and legacies of psychology’s greatest minds, presenting timeless insights in a format designed to inspire, inform, and endure.