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Sex, Murder, and the Meaning of Life: A Psychologist Investigates How Evolution, Cognition, and Complexity Are Revolutionizing Our View of Human Nature Audiobook

Name: Sex, Murder, and the Meaning of Life: A Psychologist Investigates How Evolution, Cognition, and Complexity Are Revolutionizing Our View of Human Nature Audiobook
Brand: Highbridge Audio
SKU: b5ne
Availability: InStock
Rating: 3.01 (143 reviews)
Author: Douglas T. Kenrick
ISBN: 9781611744446

By: Douglas T. Kenrick

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Read By: Fred Stella Publisher: Highbridge Audio Listen Time: 7.50 hours at 1.0x Speed 5.00 hours at 1.5x Speed 3.75 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: April 2011 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781611744446

(3.01) - 143 listener ratings

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Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

Longest Chapter Length:

46:36 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

14:00 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

32:13 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

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The Rational Animal: How Evolution Made Us Smarter Than We Think Audiobook, by Douglas T. Kenrick

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Publisher Description

Why do we do what we do? Especially those seemingly inexplicable behaviors—from the disreputable to the downright despicable? Between what can be learned from evolutionary psychology (thinking that has developed in our species over the millenniums to ensure its propagation) and cognitive science (how our minds literally think) a picture emerges. In Sex, Murder, and the Meaning of Life, social psychologist Douglas Kenrick fuses these two fields to create a coherent story of human nature. In his analysis, many ingrained, apparently irrational behaviors—one-night stands, prejudice, conspicuous consumption, even art and religious devotion—are quite explicable and (when desired) avoidable. When combined with insights from complexity theory, Kenrick’s argument reveals how simple mechanisms give rise to complex life. Through an engaging blend of anecdote, analogy and research findings, Sex, Murder, and the Meaning of Life takes listeners on a singular tour of the human mind, exploring the pitfalls and promises of our biological inheritance.

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"Would have given 3.5 stars if it was an option. Teaches us about the reasons behind our desires and how genetics, environment, and evolution influences those. Definitely has made me think about certain things in new ways. It also confirmed other things I knew but couldn't verbalize."
— Gil (4 out of 5 stars)

Sex, Murder, and the Meaning of Life Listener Reviews

Overall Performance:

(3.08)

5 Stars: 2

4 Stars: 3

3 Stars: 2

2 Stars: 4

1 Stars: 1

Narration:

(5.00)

5 Stars: 1

4 Stars: 0

3 Stars: 0

2 Stars: 0

1 Stars: 0

Story:

(5.00)

5 Stars: 1

4 Stars: 0

3 Stars: 0

2 Stars: 0

1 Stars: 0

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Overall Performance: Narration Rating: Story Rating:
— Shpend Elezi, 7/18/2017
Overall Performance:
" CogSci nerdiness "
— Kelly, 12/24/2013
Overall Performance:
" This book presents some interesting ideas but I would like to see more development of the ideas and cross references to other studies. "
— Becky, 12/17/2013
Overall Performance:
" Not bad, just not that great. "
— Teri, 12/12/2013
Overall Performance:
" self congratulatory book with questionable science based on serious bias and extremely outdated notions of evolution and what is 'natural". entertaining? yes. annoying? yes! some of the studies were good but not worth the rest. this book is GREAT if you want stuff to argue against:) "
— Charlene, 11/8/2013
Overall Performance:
" Interesting read with short chapters, making it easy to digest, but also makes you want more. Intriguing and convincing topics. However, it only focuses on the authors research. Much more depth could be provided, but a good overview of several theories. "
— Norah, 9/16/2013
Overall Performance:
" I agree with a lot of the other reviews on here- the subject matter was interesting but the disorganization and scattered presentation distracted from his ideas. "
— Katie, 5/4/2013
Overall Performance:
" Do I agree with most of what Kenrick is writing? Yes. Was it interesting? Not really. With a topic like this, it should have been. Good content but boring. "
— Jenny, 3/13/2013
Overall Performance:
" Unusually good: combines observational psychology and some economics to discuss why we behave how we do, and how our seemingly irrational behavior generally indicates underlying rational models of the world that aren't working the way we expect. "
— Smellsofbikes, 6/27/2012
Overall Performance:
" changed the way I think about everything "
— Carlie, 5/6/2012
Overall Performance:
" This book is a quick read. The last five chapters of the book are very interesting! "
— Sharada, 4/22/2012
Overall Performance:
" Human nature in different and interesting situations. "
— BLACK, 4/18/2011

About Douglas T. Kenrick

Douglas T. Kenrick is a professor of psychology at Arizona State University and the author of Sex, Murder, and the Meaning of Life. He lives in Tempe, Arizona.

About Fred Stella

Fred Stella has worked as an actor and voice talent in radio, television, independent films, and audiobooks. He was awarded the Publishers Weekly Listen Up Award for Best Male Narration in 2002. He is on the adjunct faculty staff of Muskegon Community College.