Uta Frith

A deep dive into the social mind-brain, examining the processes we share with other social animals and illuminating those that are uniquely human. What Makes Us Social? is a scholarly but accessible exploration of the underlying processes that make humans the most social species on the planet. Chris and Uta Frith, pioneers in the field of cognitive neuroscience, review the many forms of social behavior that we humans share with other animals and examine the special form that only humans possess, including its dark side. These uniquely human abilities allow us to reflect on our behavior and share these reflections with other people, which in turn enables us to reason why we do things and to exert some control over our automatic behaviors. As a result, we can learn cooperatively with others and create and value cultural artifacts that survive through the generations. Going beyond how we come to know ourselves and understand the mind of others, Frith and Frith investigate how we adapt mutually to make social interactions work. This book stands out in its application of a computational framework--one that lies at the intersection of psychology and artificial intelligence--to key concepts of social cognition, such as empathy, trust, group identity, and reputation management. Ultimately, What Makes Us Social? is a profound examination of the ways we communicate, cooperate, share, and compete with other humans and how these capabilities define us as a species.

This "charming and addictively accessible introduction to neuroscience" (Steven Pinker) takes us on a highly entertaining tour through the wonders and mysteries of the human brain--from a renowned husband-and-wife team of cognitive neuroscientists. Professors and husband-and-wife team Uta and Chris Frith have pioneered major studies of brain disorders throughout their nearly fifty-year career. Here, in this "pleasing mix of wonder, genial humor, and humility" (Kirkus Reviews, starred review), they tell the compelling story of the birth of neuroscience and their paradigm-shifting discoveries across areas as wide-ranging as autism and schizophrenia research, and new frontiers of social cognition including diversity, prejudice, confidence, collaboration, and empathy. Working with their son Alex Frith and artist Daniel Locke, the Friths delve into a wide range of complex concepts and explain them with humor and clarity. You'll learn what it means to be a "social species," explore what happens when we gather in groups, and discover how people behave in pairs--when we're pitted against each other, versus when we work together. Is it better to surround yourself with people who are similar to yourself, or different? And, are two heads really better than one? Highly original and ingeniously illustrated, Two Heads is a "magical book... and] a fantastically fun way to learn about the brain, the mind, and the lives of two of the world's most brilliant scientists" (Sarah-Jayne Blakemore, author of Inventing Ourselves).

Hvad er autisme og Aspergers syndrom? Hvad er kernesymptomerne, og hvad skyldes de? Hvor tidligt kan autisme genkendes, og hvad kan man gøre ved det? Hvorfor ser autisme ud til at blive mere og mere almindeligt? Er vi alle en lille smule autistiske? Vi har alle hørt om autisme, men ved vi, hvad der ligger bag udviklingsforstyrrelsen? Uta Frith gennemgår i denne meget korte introduktion de tre hovedtræk i autismespektret: gensidig social interaktion, kommunikation og gentagen handlinger og snævre interesseområder og beskriver de frem aktuelle forskningsteorier. Forfatteren giver et klart overblik over den viden, vi i øjeblikket har om autisme og Aspergers syndrom. Ved gennemgang af symptomer fra hele spektret af autistiske forstyrrelser og diskussion af de nyeste beviser fra hjerneforskning og genetik udforsker denne autoritative og samtidig lettilgængelige bog det sociale handicaps oprindelse og natur. Autisme og Aspergers syndrom – en introduktion giver et indblik i livet set med autismens øjne. Henvender sig til psykologer, psykiatere, læger, lærere, pædagoger, børn, unge og voksne med autisme, Aspergers syndrom og andre udviklingsforstyrrelser samt forældre og andre pårørende.

What causes autism? Is it a genetic disorder, or due to some unknown environmental hazard? Are we facing an autism epidemic? What are the main symptoms, and how does it relate to Asperger syndrome? Everyone has heard of autism, but the disorder itself is little understood. It has captured the public imagination through films and novels portraying individuals with baffling combinations of disability and extraordinary talent, and yet the reality is more often that it places a heavy burden on sufferers and their families. This Very Short Introduction offers a clear statement on what is currently known about autism and Asperger syndrome. Explaining the vast array of different conditions that hide behind these two labels, and looking at symptoms from the full spectrum of autistic disorders, it explores the possible causes for the apparent rise in autism and also evaluates the links with neuroscience, psychology, brain development, genetics, and environmental causes including MMR and Thimerosal. This short, authoritative, and accessible book also explores the psychology behind social impairment and savantism, and throughout, sheds light on what it is like to live inside the mind of the sufferer. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

This is a new, completely revised edition of Uta Frith's groundbreaking 1989 book on autism, which provided the first truly convincing psychological explanation of what happens in the mied of an autistic person. It suggested, specifically, that the key problem in autism is linked to the inability to recognise thoughts and to attribute thoughts to others, and to the failure to connect elements of information into coherent wholes. The result is problems in communicating and in social relations, and lack of flexibility in the complex interactions that normally accompany human development. The new edition shows how Uta Frith's now-classic explanation has weathered the passing of time. A new chapter summarises recent neuropsychological research and reviews the growing number of neurological works on autism. The accessible, lively style of the earlier edition has been kept, backed by a wealth of recent information on all the key issues.- "An iedispensable reference, an instant classic." Oliver Sacks.- A state-of-the-art account if existing knowledge on autism.- A radical criticI'm of some early theories on autism that blamed parenting - and made parents feel guilty. Uta Frith is a professor at the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College, London.

In this groundbreaking book, two leading authorities in the field review what we really know about how and when the brain learns, and consider the implications of this knowledge for educational policy and practice. Pioneering book in emerging field from two leading authoritiesReviews in an accessible style what we know about how and when the brain learnsDraws out the implications of this knowledge for educational policy and practiceCovers studies on learning during the whole of development, including adulthoodLooks at what we can learn from brain research about children with learning difficulties, and how this can inform remedial education

Gennemrevideret og nyoversat udgave af den internationale klassiker, der i starten af 1990’erne revolutionerede synet på autisme Den første udgave af []Autisme: en gådes afklaring[] blev hurtigt en klassiker, fordi den fremlagde den første tilfredsstillende psykologiske redegørelse for, hvad der sker i et autistisk menneskes sind. I Uta Friths lettilgængelige og engagerede sprog skitseres bl.a. de udviklingstendenser, der har præget de senere års neuropsykologiske forskning, og som har medført en voksende viden om det neurologiske grundlag for autismen. Forfatterens udgangspunkt er, at nøgleproblemerne ved autisme er en manglende evne til at erkende og reflektere over tanker (Theory of Mind), samt en manglende evne til at integrere enkeltstående informationselementer til sammenhængende helheder (central kohærens). Bogen beskriver, hvordan der på dette grundlag kan opstå problemer vedrørende kommunikation, social interaktion og fleksibilitet, efterhånden som den menneskelige udviklings komplekse interaktionsmønster udfolder sig. Fagfolk vil side for side kunne finde bogen tankevækkende, og den vil også gennem sin klare og enkle fremstilling kunne læses af andre med interesse for emnet, bl.a. pårørende til mennesker med autisme. UTA FRITH er professor på Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College, London. Hun var den ledende skikkelse i den gruppe af forskere, der lancerede hypotesen om manglende mentaliseringsevne ved autisme – en hypotese, der har vist sig uhyre anvendelig ikke blot i autismeforskningen, men i psykologisk forskning generelt.

The updated edition of this classic account of autism includes a new chapter outlining recent developments in neuropsychological research, and overviews one of the most important theoretical and practical consequences of Frith's original insights into this puzzling condition. Updated edition of this classic account of autism. Includes new sections covering practical and theoretical developments, and a chapter on recent investigations of the neurological basis of psychological impairments in autism. Accessible to a broad general readership.

This engaging story of an eighteenth century Scottish laird whose brief arranged marriage was annulled on the grounds of his mental capacity - which seen through modern eyes can be identified as autism. It is a story of villainy and innocence, and provides a fascinating historical context to which the latest theories on autism are applied.

This engaging story of an eighteenth century Scottish laird whose brief arranged marriage was annulled on the grounds of his mental capacity - which seen through modern eyes can be identified as autism. It is a story of villainy and innocence, and provides a fascinating historical context to which the latest theories on autism are applied.