A riveting exploration of who we are and why we behave the way we do.

Can personality and intelligence be measured?
Is being physically attractive an advantage?
Is it really better to forgive and forget?
How do babies learn to perceive and think?
Can listening to Mozart improve IQ?
What happens when we sleep?

Attempting to answer these important questions and more, psychology – the scientific study of human and nonhuman behaviour – has never been more popular. From TV experts to the amateur musings of your best friend, the language of psychology has permeated all aspects of everyday life. Here, the author proves that modern psychology concerns far more than the everyday stereotypes of Freud, Jung, and ‘common sense’ advice. Exploring the senses, how memory works, and what determines our intelligence and personality, this Beginner’s Guide is informed by the latest cutting-edge research and provides a vibrant and witty examination of the very heart of what it is to be human.

Dr G. Neil Martin is Reader in Psychology, a Fellow of the RSA, a Chartered Scientist, and Director of the Human Olfaction Laboratory at Middlesex University, UK. He has written several books on psychology and neuroscience, co-authored the first online course in introductory psychology in Europe, and has written over 150 articles for The Psychologist, The Times, The Observer, and the Annals of Improbable Research, amongst others. His research focuses on the psychology of smell and taste, the perception and understanding of psychology, and the psychology of humour.