Into the Mind 2010, 2011
Distributed by Films Media Group, 132 West 31st St., 17th Floor, New York, NY 10001; 800-257-5126
Produced by Alicky Sussman – BBC Productions
Directed by Alicky Sussman
DVD, color, 3 discs, approx. 50 min. each
High School - General Adult
Psychology, Ethics, Social Psychology, Abnormal Psychology
Date Entered: 07/19/2011
Reviewed by Sarah B. Cornell, Daniel Webster CollegeOne can always count on the BBC to provide solid programming on general educational topics, and the 3-DVD set Into the Mind is a fine example. Michael Mosley guides viewers through the history of experimental psychology in three episodes: Emotions, Mind Control, and Broken Brains. The series has a somewhat melodramatic television-style tone, but this may add to its appeal for non-specialist audiences. Libraries selecting for younger audiences should note that some of the footage is disturbing, even to the host.
Trained as a psychiatrist, Mosley is also an engaging host, not only because he provides in-depth knowledge of the subject but also because he participates in ongoing experiments and recreates historical ones. He tries a mirror tracing activity, explores a cave despite his known claustrophobia, and even receives an injection of hallucinogenic psilocybin in order to have his brain activity mapped while under the influence.
These programs are particularly useful because Mosley encourages the viewer to think critically about controversial experiments such as Milgram’s obedience study, B.F. Skinner’s controlled society theory, Sargant’s electroshock therapy, Watson’s studies of “Little Albert,” Harlow’s attachment experiments on monkeys, Heath’s surgery on African-American subjects, and Pavlov’s experiments on dogs and children. In addition to historical experiments, each program includes at least one segment showing new techniques for studying the brain (such as micro-level brain mapping) or discussing studies of unintentional damage to the brain due to infection, strokes, tumors, or misguided early brain surgery.
This set does not provide in-depth information about any one study, and would be best used in introductory psychology courses to illustrate influential experiments. More extensive archival footage of some of the experiments is available elsewhere, notably Stanley Milgram’s obedience study. Each program is very effective on its own, and they need not be purchased as a set.
Recommended.