This neuroscience textbook was given to its owner, Ben, by their grandfather, a professor of neuroscience. A representation of his connection to the field of psychology and his family, this textbook means a lot to Ben, as it allows him to study and learn things that are not directly related to his field of study in psychology. The textbook explains the basics of neuroscience and includes diagrams of the human brain, explanations of famous experiments, and preparation for secondary level education.
This object is part of the “Legacy” section of the Artifacts of Experience exhibition designed by University of Cincinnati students in the “Introduction to Public History” course in 2023.
We encourage you to explore the other objects in our collection.
Transcript
Fletcher Guttman [FG]: So why did you choose the neuroscience textbook?
Benjamin Erd [BE]: I chose the neuroscience textbook because my grandfather gave it to me. And he is a retired professor of neuroscience. And he has written books that are too complex for me to understand. So I want to read this basically intro to neuroscience book to begin to understand, like his research on maternal instincts in rats and humans.
FG: Interesting. What, what does it mean to you? What does this book mean to you?
BE: It’s kind of like, a guilty pleasure, like nonfiction book that I can just read. And that is not associated with, like any class that I’ve ever taken. So I think that makes it a lot easier for me to enjoy learning when I read it.
FG: Okay, yeah. When you look at this textbook, does it conjure up any memories?
BE: Definitely the memory of the time that I got a very special trip to New Mexico, where they moved. And it was kind of heavy to carry back but it was definitely worth it. Because I’ve gotten a lot of knowledge and joy from it over the years.
FG: What is your favorite story to tell about that textbook?
BE: Looking over the textbook, with my mom, who was also a psychologist, we really… Yeah did you not know that?
FG: No, I didn’t know that at all.
[Laughter]
BE: So it’s a very long line. But it was cool because I never felt pressured by my family to go into that was just something that I found interesting. And yeah, just being raised by a psychologist as a mother will make you think about things.
[Laughter]
FG: Do you think that like it’s in inspired you at all?
BG: Yeah, definitely.