Drawing on evidence from across the behavioural and natural sciences, this book advances a radical new hypothesis: that madness exists as a costly consequence of the evolution of a sophisticated social brain in Homo sapiens.

Having explained the rationale for an evolutionary approach to psychosis, the author makes a case for psychotic illness in our living ape relatives, as well as in human ancestors. He then reviews existing evolutionary theories of psychosis, before introducing his own thesis: that the same genes causing madness are responsible for the evolution of our...

Drawing on evidence from across the behavioural and natural sciences, this book advances a radical new hypothesis: that madness exists as a costly consequence of the evolution of a sophisticated social brain in Homo sapiens.

Having explained the rationale for an evolutionary approach to psychosis, the author makes a case for psychotic illness in our living ape relatives, as well as in human ancestors. He then reviews existing evolutionary theories of psychosis, before introducing his own thesis: that the same genes causing madness are responsible for the evolution of our...

First published in 2000, the Textbook of Psychiatry for Southern Africa 2e is a textbook for medical and allied health care students in Southern Africa. As a trusted resource for medical students in their clinical years, the Textbook of Psychiatry 2e is a key reference for doctors during their internship, community service, and in practice. Undergraduate students in allied professions, including Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Logopaedics, Psychology, Nursing, and Pharmacy will find it invaluable, as will postgraduate students studying the Diploma in Mental Health and Master's Degrees in...