The Playful Brain: Venturing to the Limits of Neuroscience

by Sergio Pellis, Vivien Pellis

A groundbreaking study into the formative role of play in our lives

Sergio and Vivien Pellis have synthesized three decades of empirical research to create a remarkable work, unequalled in its field.
A book that will not only expand our current knowledge of play behaviour, but will inspire change and progress from the laboratory to the playground.

Genres: Neuroscience, Psychology, Science, Nonfiction, Child Psychology

359 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Mijke Müller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for those interested in animal play as a whole. Everything that is known about play from previous studies explained in an easy-to-understand way for the general public. At times I wished the authors didn't go into as much detail, whereas at other times I was disappointed in the lack of depth in certain subsections. Overall good read.

*I skimmed over sections that were not relevant for my research*

[Cale · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was a disconnect in this book - the information was interesting (some fascinating stuff about how the brain works, especially with sounds). But the puzzles that were supposedly supporting the science just didn't grab me. Perhaps part of it was where I was reading - many of the puzzles require physical activity or pen and paper, and neither are particularly conducive to reading on the bus.