Visceral Perception: Understanding Internal Cognition / Edition 1

by Gyorgy ïdïm, James W. Pennebaker

Overview

Author Gyorgy Adam maintains there is a type of sensory system active within the internal organs that appears to be, in some measure, independent of the traditional senses. Variously termed viscerosensory perception, internal perception, or internal cognition, this system operates largely outside of consciousness. Adam employs the extensive data he has gathered over many years to demonstrate how "hidden" internal signals originating in the alimentary tract, the cardiovascular system, and the kidneys may influence emotional states. Visceral Perception is the only comprehensive treatment of this elusive subject.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781441932907
Publisher:	Springer US
Publication date:	12/01/2010
Series:	The Springer Series in Behavioral Psychophysiology and Medicine
Edition description:	Softcover reprint of hardcover 1st ed. 1998
Pages:	232
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.02(d)

About the Author

Adam, Gyorgy (Eotvos Lorand Univ, Hungary)

Table of Contents

I: Theoretical Considerations.- 1: The Subject of This Monograph.- 2: Definitions and Terminology.- 3: Historical Roots and Evolution.- II: Basic Physiological Mechanisms.- 4: Conceptual Preliminaries.- 5: Functional Properties of Receptor Structures.- 6: Visceral Afferent Pathways and Central Projections.- III: Visceral Sensation and Perception.- 7: Psychophysics of Visceral Perception in Humans.- 8: Visceral Perception Through Learning.- 9: Hemispheric Lateralization of Signal Processing.- IV: Visceroception: Constituent of Special Senses.- 10: Visceroception: A Borderline Sensory System.- 11: Visceroception and Cognition.- 12: Visceral Perception and Symptom Report: An Epilogue.- V: Appendixes Appendix I: Interoception and Consciousness.- Appendix II: Interoception: Awareness of Sensations Arising in the Gastrointestinal Tract.- Appendix III: Learning to Perceive Previously Unconscious Stimuli.- References.

Editorial Reviews

3 Stars from Doody

This book presents a creative and scientifically based perspective to conscious and unconscious visceral sensation/perception.. The content draws upon much of the author's own research and summarizes his thinking on visceral sensation and perception. It is written for academics interested in psychophysiology as well as physicians, psychologists, and advanced students in medicine or psychology, as some background in the area is assumed. Those familiar with the author's work will find this an intriguing addition. The book begins with a short background and history on visceral perception. The next section presents relevant physiologic mechanisms within the context of the original research. The final section addresses the issue of cognition and awareness of visceral events. Appendixes are generous, with three excerpts from W. E. Whitehead and Neal Miller included. The author includes these to provide background on his thinking. This book provides a unique perspective on cognition and visceral perception. Many ideas integrate across cognitive psychology, psychophysiology and philosophy. While it is difficult to follow at times, the creativity and unique aspects of the ideas compensate.

Lisa K. Sharp

The author, a Hungarian physician-biologist-psychologist-philosopher, outlines general theoretical considerations and describes physiological mechanisms associated with viscerosensory phenomena<-- >sensations associated with internal organs which occur independently of the traditional senses, and operate largely outside of consciousness. He explores such topics as visceral perception through learning, hemispheric lateralization of signal processing, and visceroception and cognition; appended essays by two other others discuss awareness of sensations arising in the gastrointestinal tract, and learning to perceive previously unconscious stimuli. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Booknews

Reviewer: Lisa K. Sharp, BSN, MA (Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine)
Description: This book presents a creative and scientifically based perspective to conscious and unconscious visceral sensation/perception..
Purpose: The content draws upon much of the author's own research and summarizes his thinking on visceral sensation and perception.
Audience: It is written for academics interested in psychophysiology as well as physicians, psychologists, and advanced students in medicine or psychology, as some background in the area is assumed. Those familiar with the author's work will find this an intriguing addition.
Features: The book begins with a short background and history on visceral perception. The next section presents relevant physiologic mechanisms within the context of the original research. The final section addresses the issue of cognition and awareness of visceral events. Appendixes are generous, with three excerpts from W. E. Whitehead and Neal Miller included. The author includes these to provide background on his thinking.
Assessment: This book provides a unique perspective on cognition and visceral perception. Many ideas integrate across cognitive psychology, psychophysiology and philosophy. While it is difficult to follow at times, the creativity and unique aspects of the ideas compensate.

Doody's Review Service