Neuroscience in Science Fiction Films
Language: English
Published by McFarland and Co Inc, US, 2014
- Softcover
- New
Seller: Rarewaves.com USA, London, London, United KingdomRarewaves.com USA
AbeBooks seller since June 11, 2025
Condition: New
US$ 44.01
Quantity: Over 20 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
As the gap between science fiction and science fact has narrowed, films that were intended as pure fantasy at the time of their premier have taken on deeper meaning. This volume explores neuroscience in science fiction films, focusing on neuroscience and psychiatry as running themes in SF and finding correlations between turning points in "neuroscience fiction" and advances in the scientific field. The films covered include The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Island of Dr. Moreau, Robocop, The Stepford Wives, The Mind Snatchers and iconic franchises like Terminator, Ironman and Planet of the Apes. Examining the parallel histories of psychiatry, neuroscience and cinema, this book shows how science fiction films offer insightful commentary on the scientific and philosophical developments of their times.
Seller Inventory # LU-9780786472345
- Title
- Neuroscience in Science Fiction Films
- Author
- Sharon Packer
- Publisher
- McFarland and Co Inc, US
- Publication year
- 2014
- Condition
- New
- Binding
- Paperback
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 0786472340
- ISBN 13
- 9780786472345
- Item weight
- 552 grams
As the gap between science fiction and science fact narrows, films that were intended as pure fantasy take on deeper meaning. The films covered include The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Island of Dr. Moreau, Robocop, The Stepford Wives, The Mind Snatchers and iconic franchises like Terminator, Ironman and Planet of the Apes, plus Donovan's Brain, The Brain that Wouldn't Die and other iconic examples from "classic SF". By examining the parallel histories of psychiatry, neuroscience and cinema, this book shows how science fiction films offer insightful commentary on the scientific and philosophical developments of their times.
Through SF film, readers come to understand why some generations revere the "mind" while other generations applaud the "brain" (and why such shifts are not always sequential). The extra-long chapter on 1950s SF--the era of "classic SF"--shows how big-brained aliens (BBAs) of "B-movies" call attention to brain-based behavior, just after the inventer of the lobotomy won a Nobel Prize.
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Her most recent book is Neuroscience in Science Fiction Films (2015), which she began when she was an Asst. Clinical Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Her other books include Dreams in Myth, Medicine and Movies (2012); Movies and the Modern Psyche (2007); Superheroes and Superegos: the Minds behind the Masks (2010); Cinema's Sinister Psychiatrists (2012); and a co-edited, two-volume A History of Evil in Popular Culture: What Hannibal Lecter, Stephen King and Vampires Reveal about America (2014). She has written many more book chapters and reviews, plus articles for the academic and lay press. Her Psychiatric Times series on "Why Psychiatrists are Physicians First" explains her philosophy of psychiatric medicine. Other articles, such as, "What Wordsworth Knew: Daffodils as Antidepressants," reflect her longstanding interest in the intersection between medicine, psychiatry & the arts. Her articles on "European Ergot Epidemics and Jewish Mystical Movements" (and related topics) and "Spider-Man's Symbiote and the Early AIDS Epidemic" reflect her focus on the History of Medicine.
"About the title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Rarewaves.com USA
London, London, United Kingdom
AbeBooks seller since June 11, 2025
Shipping rates from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
| Item | 11 to 16 business days | 11 to 16 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | US$ 0.00 | US$ 0.00 |
Payment methods
Seller's business information
RAREWAVES.COM LIMITED
Elsley Court, 20-22 Great Titchfield Street
London, United Kingdom W1W 8BE
Shipping terms
Please note that we do not offer Priority shipping to any country.
We currently do not ship to the below countries:
Russia
Belarus
Ukraine
Please do not attempt to place orders with any of these countries as a ship to address - they will be cancelled.