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How is Your Brain Like a Zebra? A new human neurotypology © Judith Lauter 2008 216 pp, 6"x 9" publisher: Xlibris, 2008 ebook, softcover, and hardcover formats links to order from Xlibris (available in softcover, hardcover with jacket, ebook) ***** Excerpts below include: Cover Blurb; Preface; Table of Contents |
Cover Blurb
Intended for the general reader as well as specialists, this book presents a fascinating new theory that posits three major brain types created by sex hormones before birth-Polytropic, Middle, and Focal. A brief scientific background is given first, and then the theory is illustrated with vivid anecdotes about real cases. The author argues persuasively (and sometimes startlingly) that brain types influence many human traits and differences, such as personality, special skills, learning disabilities, and a whole host of medical conditions. This unique approach promises new (and practical) insights into such puzzling issues as hyperactivity, autism, nicotine addiction, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and dyslexia. Read this book to find out which kind of "zebra brain" you have and discover unique insights into you and everyone you know
Preface
Recently in my Human Neuroscience Laboratory I tested a ten-year-old, a sweet boy who spoke politely and did what was asked of him, but who had trouble sitting still for very long and found it difficult to describe the contents of a simple paragraph. When I met with his mother several days later to show her what my tests revealed-- how patterns in his brain predicted his problems in school and staying still-- I showed her the technical data in the form of numbers and graphs. She seemed satisfied, but I could tell she was more than a little mystified. I’m sure my assessment would have meant much more if I could have handed her this book.
Over the years I’ve talked with many parents about their kids, as well as with adults who were tested. For everyone who has patiently wrestled with my graphs and listened to my explanations, this book is for you. Lynette, this is for you, Tom and Toni, this is for you. To all the moms, dads, teachers, and clinicians I haven’t yet met, but who want badly to understand what’s happening with their kids, their clients, and themselves, this is for you. The main message I hope you will take away is that brain patterns are firmly based in biology. It’s not “all in your mind” -- it’s in your brain.
These patterns are readily comprehensible-- and can provide practical guidelines for improving your quality of life. Moreover, these patterns, which I call “brain types,” are all about the individual, and in many ways resemble the patterns of color in an animal’s coat-- rings on a cat’s tail, dapples on a horse’s coat, stripes on a zebra. Surprisingly, you don’t need expensive testing to unlock the secrets of brain types. They can be recognized in numerous ways, including direct observation of personality, skills, and even height and coloration.
Sometimes easy to see, sometimes harder, they are always there, waiting to be discovered with a little detective work. In that sense, this book is a kind of training manual to turn you into a “brain detective.” My aim is to give you enough basic information that you can figure out the brain type of nearly anyone you know -- and what that might mean, both for them and for you.
I would also like to express my gratitude to members of the Sociology Reading Group at Stephen F. Austin State University, along with graduate students from the Educational Psychology program, for reading and commenting on earlier drafts of this book, and to Dr. Michael McKaig, not only for reading the manuscript but also engaging in frequent discussions about many of these issues.
My deepest thanks go to my husband Ken, for his consistent open-mindedness and intellectual vigor, his unflagging patience and enthusiasm, and for the many hours he has contributed to reading and editing drafts of this book. Ken is definitely my principal “zebra wrangler,” and his generosity in sharing his own experiences of human diversity has helped shape my views on the many ways of being human.
Table of Contents
Preface
Introduction
PART ONE - THE SCIENCE OF BRAIN TYPES
Chapter One. Zebras, Brains and Fingerprints: The History of Human Types
Everybody’s the Same, Everybody’s Different
Modern Science on the Origins of Individual Differences
Typology: the Science of Types
Basic Principles
Brain connectivity: More than the Sum of its Parts
Chapter Three. How to Grow a Brain: From Hormone-Free to High-T
Growing a Brain: the Big Picture
Possibilities of Hormone Exposure for the Developing Brain
Chapter Four. Meet the Brain Types: Up Close and Personal
Brain Types by Population and Gender
The Right-Brain/Whole-Brain Type
PART TWO – BRAIN TYPES Q&A
Psychiatry
Communication Disorders
Developmental Disorders
Education and “Learning Disorders”
Multiple Intelligences
Birth Order
Chronic Pain
Addiction
Domestic Violence
Neurology
Whole-Brain Care
Epilogue
Source Notes
References and Related Readings
Appendix – Brain Type Questionnaire
Intended for the general reader as well as specialists, this book presents a fascinating new theory that posits three major brain types created by sex hormones before birth-Polytropic, Middle, and Focal. A brief scientific background is given first, and then the theory is illustrated with vivid anecdotes about real cases. The author argues persuasively (and sometimes startlingly) that brain types influence many human traits and differences, such as personality, special skills, learning disabilities, and a whole host of medical conditions. This unique approach promises new (and practical) insights into such puzzling issues as hyperactivity, autism, nicotine addiction, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and dyslexia. Read this book to find out which kind of "zebra brain" you have and discover unique insights into you and everyone you know
Preface
Recently in my Human Neuroscience Laboratory I tested a ten-year-old, a sweet boy who spoke politely and did what was asked of him, but who had trouble sitting still for very long and found it difficult to describe the contents of a simple paragraph. When I met with his mother several days later to show her what my tests revealed-- how patterns in his brain predicted his problems in school and staying still-- I showed her the technical data in the form of numbers and graphs. She seemed satisfied, but I could tell she was more than a little mystified. I’m sure my assessment would have meant much more if I could have handed her this book.
Over the years I’ve talked with many parents about their kids, as well as with adults who were tested. For everyone who has patiently wrestled with my graphs and listened to my explanations, this book is for you. Lynette, this is for you, Tom and Toni, this is for you. To all the moms, dads, teachers, and clinicians I haven’t yet met, but who want badly to understand what’s happening with their kids, their clients, and themselves, this is for you. The main message I hope you will take away is that brain patterns are firmly based in biology. It’s not “all in your mind” -- it’s in your brain.
These patterns are readily comprehensible-- and can provide practical guidelines for improving your quality of life. Moreover, these patterns, which I call “brain types,” are all about the individual, and in many ways resemble the patterns of color in an animal’s coat-- rings on a cat’s tail, dapples on a horse’s coat, stripes on a zebra. Surprisingly, you don’t need expensive testing to unlock the secrets of brain types. They can be recognized in numerous ways, including direct observation of personality, skills, and even height and coloration.
Sometimes easy to see, sometimes harder, they are always there, waiting to be discovered with a little detective work. In that sense, this book is a kind of training manual to turn you into a “brain detective.” My aim is to give you enough basic information that you can figure out the brain type of nearly anyone you know -- and what that might mean, both for them and for you.
I would also like to express my gratitude to members of the Sociology Reading Group at Stephen F. Austin State University, along with graduate students from the Educational Psychology program, for reading and commenting on earlier drafts of this book, and to Dr. Michael McKaig, not only for reading the manuscript but also engaging in frequent discussions about many of these issues.
My deepest thanks go to my husband Ken, for his consistent open-mindedness and intellectual vigor, his unflagging patience and enthusiasm, and for the many hours he has contributed to reading and editing drafts of this book. Ken is definitely my principal “zebra wrangler,” and his generosity in sharing his own experiences of human diversity has helped shape my views on the many ways of being human.
Table of Contents
Preface
Introduction
PART ONE - THE SCIENCE OF BRAIN TYPES
Chapter One. Zebras, Brains and Fingerprints: The History of Human Types
Everybody’s the Same, Everybody’s Different
Modern Science on the Origins of Individual Differences
Typology: the Science of Types
Basic Principles
- Typologies before 1950
- Astrology
- Four Elements and Four Humours
- Early Brain Research and Phrenology
- Sheldon’s Typology of Body Proportions
- Hormones as Sculptors of Body and Brain
- Making Males
- The GBG Neurotypology
- Nyborg’s Neurotypology
Brain connectivity: More than the Sum of its Parts
- The Handshaking Model of Brain Function
-- Applications to Hyperactivity - The EPIC Model of Functional Asymmetries
-- Applications to Reading and Learning Skills
- Top-to-bottom Connections
- Front-to-back Connections
- Side-to-side Connections
- Connections within One Brain Region
Chapter Three. How to Grow a Brain: From Hormone-Free to High-T
Growing a Brain: the Big Picture
Possibilities of Hormone Exposure for the Developing Brain
- Hormone-free, Rising T, and the Brain Types that Result
- Hormones and the XX Fetus
- Hormones and the Xy Fetus
Chapter Four. Meet the Brain Types: Up Close and Personal
Brain Types by Population and Gender
The Right-Brain/Whole-Brain Type
- Wise Women and Grandmothers (XX chromosomes - hormone-free)
- “Keepers” (Xy chromosomes - low-T)
- Dancing Girls and Lady Jocks (XX chromosomes - moderate T)
- Jocks and Actors (Xy chromosomes - moderate T)
- Focal Ladies (XX chromosomes -- high T)
- Asocial Men (Xy chromosomes - high T)
PART TWO – BRAIN TYPES Q&A
Psychiatry
Communication Disorders
Developmental Disorders
Education and “Learning Disorders”
Multiple Intelligences
Birth Order
Chronic Pain
Addiction
Domestic Violence
Neurology
Whole-Brain Care
Epilogue
Source Notes
References and Related Readings
Appendix – Brain Type Questionnaire
Copyright © 2021 Judith L. Lauter
