EMOTION: A VERY SHORT INTRODUCTION

Published by Oxford University Press in January 2003.
ISBN: 0192804618 (paperback)

Originally published by Oxford University Press in January 2001 as Emotion: The Science of Sentiment

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Was love invented in the middle ages, or is it part of human nature? Will winning the lottery really make you happy? And will computers ever have emotions?

These are just some of the intriguing questions examined in this guide to the latest scientific thinking about the emotions. From evolutionary biology and anthropology to experimental psychology and artificial intelligence, scientists are finally beginning to address a topic that was for long regarded as the exclusive property of artists and novelists.

Some excerpts from reviews of the original 2001 edition:

'Evans's brief but comprehensive demolition of the 'hydraulic' theory of emotion is a delight . . .All in all, this small well-produced book enlightens with admirable succinctness, and communicates as much as many books on a similar theme which are twice or even three times its size.' - Human Givens, Summer 2001
'a pop science classic' -John Walsh, Independent on Sunday, 22/04/01
'a fun little book . .Highly accessible, this little gem deserves to sell well . . . student friendly . . . excellent introductory book' -Simon Baron-Cohen, Nature, 29/03/2001
'readable and thought provoking account' -Susan Aldridge, Focus March 2001
'This book is a charming primer on the up-and-coming science of emotions.' -James Kingsland New Scientist 10/02/01
'An admirably clear, intelligent and witty introduction' -Steven Poole, The Guardian, 10/02/01
'" a wealth of good sense backed by evidence"' - Marek Kohn, Evening Standard, 29/01/2001
'" a witty little book"' -Iain Finlayson, The Times 31/01/2001
'At last, an accessible and fascinating account of a neglected aspect of our mental lives.' -Lewis Wolpert, author of "Malignant Sadness"

To read Simon Baron-Cohen's review from Nature , click here .

To read Marek Kohn's review from the Evening Standard, click here .

To read Steven Poole's review from the Guardian, click here .

This page was last updated: 5 November 2002.