Embodied: The Psychology of Physical Sensation

Open any general textbook of psychology and the topic of perception will be covered in detail. However much of it will be about the big five senses - the senses we grew up learning about as children: sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. The primacy of these sensations in our thinking and learning is reflected in their cultural dominance. The big five dominate across cultures, religions and histories, 'Embodied' is about how we experience our bodies and how our bodies experience the world; it is about physical sensation. Uniquely, each chapter focuses on a neglected physical sense - senses that we are only too happy to talk about in everyday life, yet have been neglected from the point of view of serious psychological enquiry. While some have been studied more than others, compared to the big five, the ten bodily senses that form the heart of this book have been neglected for too long. Throughout, we see how these bodily sensations operate within extreme situations and are presented with pathological case studies providing insights into these sensations, their evolutionary purpose, and their physical bases. The sensations discussed include, amongst others, itch, balance, convulsion, balance, and proprioception. The result is a highly original and accessible exploration of the human body, one accessible to both students and lay readers.

About the Author :
Christopher Eccleston, Department for Health, University of Bath, UK

Review :
"Psychology is deeply intertwined with our bodily existence, yet this fact is poorly acknowledged. Embodied describes ten bodily sensations that are hardly discussed in introductory psychology textbooks. Each chapter guides the reader through the fascinating world within the skin, integrating sound scientific knowledge about bodily sensation with everyday experiences and stories of when things go awry. The book is at once instructive and entertaining, and guarantees a fresh insight. It is a delightful read." -- Omer Van den Bergh, Professor of Psychology, University of Leuven "An excellent, comprehensive, and thought-provoking investigation of the psychology of the human body. With real-life stories that illustrate the extremes of physical sensations, this is a must read for anyone interested in understanding the mindbody connection." -- Emily Law, Assistant Professor, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine & Seattle Children's Hospital "I recommend this thought-provoking book to all." -- Dr. Susie Lord, Clinical Lead, Childrens Complex Pain Service, John Hunter Childrens Hospital, Australia; The Australian Pain Society