Hans Selye

De: Josh Graham

Narrado por: Virtual Voice

Pioneers of Human Behaviour: Hans Selye
A Gateway to His Life, Theories, and Legacy

Hans Selye, known as the “father of stress research,” forever changed how medicine, psychology, and everyday people understand the pressures of modern life. His insights revealed that stress is not just a feeling but a biological process that can heal, harm, or transform depending on how it is managed. From the laboratory to the language we use daily, his legacy continues to shape health, resilience, and culture.

This concise yet powerful volume distils Selye’s remarkable journey—from inquisitive Hungarian boy to world-renowned scientist—into clear, engaging chapters. It explores his early life, groundbreaking discovery of the General Adaptation Syndrome, influential books like The Stress of Life, and the lasting impact of his ideas across medicine, education, and society. More than a biography, it is a portrait of a pioneer whose work gave us a new way to talk about life under pressure.

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

• How Selye coined the modern scientific concept of stress and mapped its three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.

• Why he distinguished between “eustress” (positive stress) and “distress” (harmful stress), reshaping health and performance research.

• The influence of his landmark works, including The Stress of Life and Stress Without Distress, on medicine and popular culture.

• The controversies around his vast rat experiments and ties to industry, and how they shaped his reputation.

• How modern thinkers like Richard Lazarus, Bruce McEwen, Aaron Antonovsky, and Robert Sapolsky expanded and refined his legacy.

Part biography, part theory guide, and part reflection on resilience, this book brings Hans Selye’s work to life with vivid storytelling and practical insights. It is accessible without oversimplifying, making it essential for students, professionals, and general readers interested in psychology, health, and human behaviour.

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.