Animals, Brains & Cultures

About the Book

Using common every-day examples, this book explains human and other animal nature and behaviour in terms of a four-component brain/mind theory. It describes how all animals from reptiles to humans possess similar primitive core brain structures that control vital bodily functions and behavioural drives. Thirteen such drives are identified across species. A simple theory is expounded to explain how sensory residues enter the cerebral cortex, and how regurgitation of these sensory residues into short-term memory is what we refer to as mental-imaging - the basis of all thought, conversation, planning and expectations, and the trigger for emotional feedback and feelings. A step-by-step process is used to define and establish that there is such a thing as a self-image which is every bit as important to us as our physical bodies. The ability to build sequences of scenarios in our minds represents higher thinking or rationalising. It partly uses this understanding to make sense of civilisation as the inevitable result of these primitive drives, and why there are rules forcing us to modify those drives. It describes how a social milieu of confusion, deception and double standards has developed as a corollary of the restrictions of civilisation. It makes sense out of the apparent paradox of love and hate, the confusion over freedom and rights, the roles of nature and nurture in personality, why we do not all have identical personalities, why it is difficult to change our firm beliefs, what is reality, and what is the "truth". A few everyday examples show how we can use this understanding of our psychosocial surroundings to help us with problems.

About the Author

Doug Fenwick has degrees from three Universities in the field of veterinary science, including a PhD. He earned his Batchelor"s degree with honours with the aid of several scholarships and from working in a number of jobs during vacations. After graduation he spent two years in regulatory stock disease control, 27 years as principal of his own rural veterinary practice, 11 years in a University Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, four years in a Department of Farm Animal Medicine and Production as Chief Professional Officer. In the latter position he was co-supervisor to scores of PhD and Masters Degree candidates, advising on animal handling and surgical techniques, on graphics and statistical methodology, in the use and limitations of laboratory analytical machines and in the manner of writing up theses in a logical interpretive fashion. He has published scores of articles in scientific journals, and holds a record for the most articles in a single year in the Australian Veterinary Journal. This is his first book. After compulsory retirement from academe, he spent 11 years operating a manufacturing business with his wife Christine. He claims that he has been in a unique position for over 70 years to study and compare human and other animal behaviour outside of the cloisters of a Psychology School. This makes him a "primitive" in the field, unencumbered by stereotyped belief systems. He brings many unique insights into animal and human nature and behaviour.