Cognition and cognitive psychology Books

Book SynopsisTrade Review"The Mind-Gut Connection presents the incredibly humbling reality that our very perception and interpretation of the world around us is virtually dictated by the microbes living within us. This book redefines what it means to be healthy and eloquently provides the means to manifest that goal." -- David Perlmutter, MD, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Grain Brain and Brain Maker "Drawing on his vast experience as a practicing gastroenterologist, Dr. Mayer writes about the connections that our brains have with our guts, especially with the microbes that make the gut their home. Describing a rapidly advancing realm of knowledge, this thoughtful guide provides practical advice to improve health." -- Martin J. Blaser, MD, author of Missing Microbes "Dr. Emeran Mayer elucidates the intricate biochemical dialogue that occurs between the brain, digestive tract, and trillions of bacteria residing in the gut. He dubs this form of communication 'microbe-speak' and speculates on its implications for social behavior, decision making, emotional wellbeing, and maybe mental health." -- Booklist "After a long period of neglect the enteric nervous system has been recognized as the 'second brain'. Dr. Emeran Mayer, a true expert of this topic, has now written the best lay-public guide yet to this spectacular part of ourselves. Recommended reading." -- Antonio Demasio, author of Descartes' Error, The Feeling of What Happens, and The Self Comes to Mind "I have known Emeran Mayer for years and have learned to pay attention to what he says and writes. The Mind-Gut Connection is a delight. Both scholarly and fun to read, I highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about how the mind and gut communicate." -- Michael D. Gershon, MD, author of The Second Brain "Microbiome research is revolutionizing our understanding of the human body and the brain. In The Mind-Gut Connection, Dr. Emeran Mayer provides authoritative insight into this rapidly expanding field. Synthesizing recent research with patient stories and personal anecdotes, he offers practical, evidence-based recommendations to keep the dialogue between the brain, the gut, and its microbes flowing smoothly." -- Rob Knight, PhD, author of Follow Your Gut and director of the Center for Microbiome Innovation, UC San Diego "The Mind-Gut Connection is a revolutionary new holistic view of what keeps us healthy, ranging from the food choices we make to the ways we can train our mind, with the ultimate goal of attaining optimal health. " -- Kenneth R. Pelletier, PhD, MD, Clincal Professor of Medicine and Professor of Public Health, University of California School of Medicine (UCSF) "Microbiome research is revolutionizing our understanding of the human body and the brain. In The Mind-Gut Connection, Dr. Emeran Mayer provides authoritative insight into this rapidly expanding field. Synthesizing recent research with patient stories and personal anecdotes, he offers practical, evidence-based recommendations to keep the dialogue between the brain, the gut, and its microbes flowing smoothly." -- SELF online

Read more less

Book SynopsisA simple and accessible exploration of the best-selling author of Letting Go and Power vs. Force, David R. Hawkins, M.D., Ph.D. most famous work, The Map of Consciousness, that will help you to experience healing and transcendence. World-renowned author, psychiatrist, clinician, spiritual teacher, and researcher of consciousness David R. Hawkins shares that we are all born with an energetic frequency within the vast field of consciousness. And with The Map of Consciousness, we can truly understand the total spectrum of human emotions and consciousness. Using a unique muscle-testing method, Dr. David R. Hawkins conducted more than 250,000 calibrations during 20 years of research to define a range of values, attitudes, and emotions that correspond to levels of consciousness. This range of values-along with a logarithmic scale of 1 to 1,000-became the Map of Consciousness, which Dr. David R. Hawkins first wrote about in his best-selling book, Power vs. Force. With the Map, Dr. David R. Hawkins laid out the entire spectrum of consciousness, from the lower levels of Shame, Guilt, Apathy, Fear, Anger, and Pride; to Courage, Acceptance, and Reason; all the way up to the more expanded levels of Love, Ecstasy, Peace, and Enlightenment. These "higher" energy fields are a carrier wave of immense life energy. An essential primer on the late Dr. David R. Hawkins's teachings on human consciousness and their associated energy fields, The Map of Consciousness Explained offers an introduction and deeper understanding of the Map, with visual charts and practical applications to help you heal, recover, and evolve to higher levels of consciousness and energy. This enlightening book transcends the boundaries of conventional wisdom, integrating the realms of psychology, philosophy, and spirituality in a powerful exploration of human consciousness and human potential to help you be more effective in every area of your life.Some highlights include:– A thoughtful fusion of psychology, philosophy, and spirituality.– A comprehensive interpretation of the law of attraction and its intrinsic link with consciousness and personal evolution. – A scientifically grounded guide to harness the power of positive thinking and its practical applications.– An insightful perspective on the 'power vs force' dynamic, offering fresh insights into personal and professional relationships.– An enriching collection of practical exercises and affirmations designed to awaken and energize your consciousness.Dr. David R. Hawkins has a remarkable ability to simplify complex concepts. Whether you're in search of motivational books for women, leadership books for aspiring entrepreneurs, or behavior books to comprehend the nuances of human interaction, this book can revolutionize how you perceive and interact with the world, inspiring profound transformation and positive change."That which weakens life energy is to be avoided: shame, guilt, confusion, fear, hatred, pride, hopelessness, and falsehood. That which uplifts life is to be realized: truth, courage, acceptance, reason, love, beauty, joy, and peace." –David R. Hawkins, M.D., Ph.D.Whether you're a scholar, a personal growth enthusiast, or simply on a path of self-discovery, this book will help you live with more awareness and lead a more conscious and fulfilling life.

Read more less

Book SynopsisSchwartz also shows how our obsession with choice encourages us to seek that which makes us feel worse.By synthesizing current research in the social sciences, Schwartz makes the counter intuitive case that eliminating choices can greatly reduce the stress, anxiety, and busyness of our lives.Trade Review"Brilliant... The case Schwartz makes... is compelling, the implications disturbing... An insightful book." -- Christian Science Monitor "An insightful study that winningly argues its subtitle." -- Philadelphia Inquirer "Schwartz lays out a convincing argument... [He] is a crisp, engaging writer with an excellent sense of pace." -- Austin American-Statesman "Schwartz offers helpful suggestions of how we can manage our world of overwhelming choices." -- St. Petersburg Times "Wonderfully readable." -- Washington Post "Schwartz has plenty of insightful things to say about the perils of everyday life." -- Booklist "With its clever analysis, buttressed by sage New Yorker cartoons, The Paradox of Choice is persuasive." -- BusinessWeek

Read more less

Book SynopsisBBC R4 Book of the WeekBrilliant' GuardianFascinating and often delightful' The TimesWhat if intelligent life on Earth evolved not once, but twice? The octopus is the closest we will come to meeting an intelligent alien. What can we learn from the encounter?In Other Minds, Peter Godfrey-Smith, a distinguished philosopher of science and a skilled scuba diver, tells a bold new story of how nature became aware of itself a story that largely occurs in the ocean, where animals first appeared.Tracking the mind's fitful development from unruly clumps of seaborne cells to the first evolved nervous systems in ancient relatives of jellyfish, he explores the incredible evolutionary journey of the cephalopods, which began as inconspicuous molluscs who would later abandon their shells to rise above the ocean floor, searching for prey and acquiring the greater intelligence needed to do so a journey completely independent from the route that mammals and birds would later take.But what kind of intelligence do cephalopods possess? How did the octopus, a solitary creature with little social life, become so smart? What is it like to have eight tentacles that are so packed with neurons that they virtually think for themselves'? By tracing the question of inner life back to its roots and comparing human beings with our most remarkable animal relatives, Godfrey-Smith casts crucial new light on the octopus mind and on our own.Trade ReviewPraise for Other Minds: ‘Entrancing and profound’ Financial Times ‘A superb, coruscating book’ Literary Review ‘Startlingly incisive … refreshing guidance’ New York Times ‘The beauty of Godfrey-Smith’s book lies in the clarity of his writing; his empathy, if you will. He takes us through those early stirrings in the seas of deep time, from bacteria that sense light and can taste, to cnidarian jellyfish, the first organisms to exhibit nervous systems, which he describes wonderfully.’ Philip Hoare, Guardian ‘Fascinating and often delightful … This book ingeniously blends philosophy and science to trace the epic journey from single-celled organisms of 3.8 billion years ago to the awakening and development of cephalopod consciousness.’ The Times ‘As poignant as anything you will read this year’ Mail on Sunday ‘In Other Minds, Peter Godfrey-Smith, a philosopher, skilfully combines science, philosophy and his experiences of swimming among these tentacled beasts to illuminate the origin and nature of consciousness.’ The Economist ‘A delight on so many levels’ Dive magazine ‘To investigate these astonishing animals with such empathy and rigour is achievement enough. To do so while casting light on the birth and nature of consciousness, as Peter Godfrey-Smith does here, is captivating.’ China Miéville, author of Kraken ‘I love this book, its masterful blend of natural history, philosophy, and wonder … It’s a captivating story, and Peter Godfrey-Smith brings it alive in vivid, elegant prose … A must-read for anyone interested in the evolution of the mind – ours and the very other, but equally sentient, minds of the cephalopods.’ Jennifer Ackerman, author of The Genius of Birds

Read more less

Book Synopsis‘Everything about [this] book, which combines a healthy dose of lucid neuroscience with a dash of sensitive personal narrative, delights ... a beautifully balanced piece of popular-science writing’ Boyd Tonkin, Independent 'For people interested in language, this is a must. You'll find yourself focusing on words in new ways. Read it slowly - it will take time to sink in.’William Leith, Sunday Telegraph 'An inspiring celebration of the science of reading.’ P.D. Smith, Guardian 'We were never born to read', says Maryanne Wolf. 'No specific genes ever dictated reading's development. Human beings invented reading only a few thousand years ago. And with this invention, we changed the very organisation of our brain, which in turn expanded the ways we were able to think, which altered the intellectual evolution of our species.' In "Proust and the Squid", Maryanne Wolf explores our brains' near-miraculous ability to arrange and re-arrange themselves in response to external circumstances. She examines how this 'open architecture', the elasticity of our brains, helps and hinders humans in their attempts to learn to read, and to process the written language. She also investigates what happens to people whose brains make it difficult to acquire these skills, such as those with dyslexia. Wolf, a world expert on the reading brain, brings both a personal passion and deft style to this, the story of the reading brain. It is a pop science masterpiece on a subject that anyone who loves reading will be sure to find fascinating.Trade Review‘Everything about her book, which combines a healthy dose of lucid neuroscience with a dash of sensitive personal narrative, delights ... a beautifully balanced piece of popular-science writing’ -- Boyd Tonkin, Independent‘Wolf’s alarm about the spread of semi-literacy among the young is obviously justified, and her book provokes thought about it as only reading can.’ -- John Carey, Sunday Times‘There's a lot of difficult material in here. But it's worth the effort. I kept wanting to read more about how written language changed history, and more about the invention of the alphabet. This is a tribute to Wolf, who could not possibly cram everything in here. For people interested in language, this is a must. You'll find yourself focusing on words in new ways. Read it slowly - it will take time to sink in.’ -- William Leith, Sunday Telegraph‘’Proust and the Squid’ is an inspiring celebration of the science of reading.’ -- P.D. Smith, Guardian‘Wolf is excellent on reading as a supreme accomplishment too often taken for granted precisely because of the achievement of automaticity.’ -- Literary Review‘This is a paean of praise for, and a rewarding exploration of, the creative reciprocities between writing, reading and thinking, it is especially good on dyslexia.’ -- Times'An entertaining, comprehensive, delightfully clear account of how our brain allowed us to become word magicians. A splendid achievement!' -- Alberto Manguel, author of ‘A History of Reading’'Child development Professor Wolf maintains the tone of a curious, erudite friend as she synthesises cutting-edge interdisciplinary research - psychology and archaeology, linguistics and education, history and neuroscience - in a pathbreaking look at the reading brain.' -- Publishers Weekly, Books of the Year‘As booksellers, we don't need to be convinced of the importance of reading, but Maryanne Wolf's sage book goes far beyond what even we imagined. Wolf ... is not content to discuss the cultural significance of reading; she asserts with convincing evidence that this activity has radically changed the very organization of the human brain.' -- Barnes and Noble'Wolf displays extraordinary passion and perceptiveness concerning the reading brain, its miraculous achievements and tragic dysfunctions.' -- Bookforum‘What a timely, passionate meditation on the miracle of reading! Wolf's words provide the very pleasure she describes: we feel the precious excitement that is contact with another mind and are duly illuminated, provoked, steadied, and renewed.' -- Gish Jen‘Wolf’s learned but light-footed work is excavating – with a zest that blends authority and accessibility – the deep mystery of why and how we can read at all.’ -- Boyd Tonkin, Independent‘Her book is a remarkable excavation of something we take largely for granted, and throws up plenty of thought-provoking ideas along the way.’ -- Sunday Times‘A brilliant book about how human beings learned to read and write. There’s a superb explanation of the conditions that cause dyslexia – which Wolf points out, wouldn’t have conferred an evolutionary disadvantage until very recently, and might even have been beneficial to some people.’ -- William Leith, The Spectator

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe author demonstrates that there exist many human intelligences, common to all cultures - each with its own patterns of development and brain activity, and each different in kind from the others.

Read more less

Book SynopsisLearn how to end the self-destructive behaviours that stop you from living your best life with this breakthrough programme. Do you … Put the needs of others above your own? Start to panic when someone you love leaves — or threatens to? Often feel anxious about natural disasters, losing all your money, or getting seriously ill? Find that no matter how successful you are, you still feel unhappy, unfulfilled, or undeserving? Unsatisfactory relationships, an irrational lack of self-esteem, feelings of being unfulfilled — these are all problems that can be solved by changing the types of messages that people internalise. These self-defeating behaviour patterns are called ‘lifetraps’, and Reinventing Your Life shows you how to stop the cycle that keeps you from attaining happiness. Two of America’s leading psychologists, Jeffrey E. Young, PhD, and Janet S. Klosko, PhD, draw on the breakthrough principles of cognitive therapy to help you recognise and change negative thought patterns, without the aid of drugs or long-term traditional therapy. They describe eleven of the most common lifetraps, provide a diagnostic test for each, and offer step-by-step suggestions to help you break free of the traps. Thousands of men and women have seen the immediate and long-term results of the extraordinary programme outlined in this clear, compassionate, liberating book. Its innovative approach to solving ongoing emotional problems will help you create a more fulfilling, productive life.Trade Review‘Several of the most painful petards upon which people become hoisted during an unhappy childhood are neatly dispatched here by two cognitive therapists, who attack 11 common ‘lifetraps’ — destructive patterns that underlie a variety of emotional problems. Young and Klosko ably demonstrate how to deal with issues of abandonment, dependence, trust, social rejection, emotional deprivation, failure and vulnerability. They provide meaningful case histories, perceptive descriptions, diagnostic tests and a variety of nugget-sized, easily understood lists detailing the causes, danger signs and effects of negative impulses and actions, as well as ways to short-circuit them.’ * Publishers Weekly *‘Using illustrations from case studies, the authors describe each lifetrap, discuss its origins in childhood experience, and provide a questionnaire for self-assessment. They then offer a program for change using techniques ranging from experiential (getting in touch with your inner child) to cognitive (writing a ‘case’ against your lifetrap) and behavioural (identifying specific behaviours to be changed).’ * Library Journal *

Read more less

Book Synopsis''This book does an excellent job at providing an overview of each of the important areas of psychology (memory, perception, mental health, etc.). If you''ve not studied psychology before, this book is perfect as an introduction.'' Amazon 5 star reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐''Great read, nicely structured and keeps the reader engaged without getting bogged down into too much detail - love it.'' Amazon 5 star reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Are you looking for a simple, jargon-free introduction to psychology?Are you a student who wants to build your knowledge and boost your grades? Psychology: A Complete Introduction is designed to give you everything you need to succeed, all in one place.Written by Dr Sandi Mann, Senior Lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire, the book uses a structure that mirrors the way Psychology is taught on

Read more less

Book SynopsisDrawing on cognitive psychology and other fields, Make It Stick offers techniques for becoming more productive learners, and cautions against study habits and practice routines that turn out to be counterproductive. The book speaks to students, teachers, trainers, athletes, and all those interested in lifelong learning and self-improvement.Trade ReviewIf you want to read a lively and engaging book on the science of learning, this is a must… Make It Stick benefits greatly from its use of stories about people who have achieved mastery of complex knowledge and skills. Over the course of the book, the authors weave together stories from an array of learners—surgeons, pilots, gardeners, and school and university students—to illustrate their arguments about how successful learning takes place… This is a rich and resonant book and a pleasurable read that will leave you pondering the processes through which you, and your students, acquire new knowledge and skills. -- Hazel Christie * Times Higher Education *Many educators are interested in making use of recent findings about the human brain and how we learn… Make It Stick [is] the single best work I have encountered on the subject. Anyone with an interest in teaching or learning will benefit from reading this book, which not only presents thoroughly grounded research but does so in an eminently readable way that is accessible even to students. -- James M. Lang * Chronicle of Higher Education *For a deeper dig into the science of learning, make sure to pick up Make It Stick. It’s an illuminating read. -- Drake Baer * Business Insider *A highly engaging and accessible text that neatly provides the reader with both a thorough grounding in the empirical and theoretical work on durable learning, while also offering specific, actionable recommendations for immediate implementation. -- Kathryn E. Frazier * Currents in Teaching and Learning *Aimed primarily at students, parents, and teachers, Make It Stick also offers practical advice for learners of all ages, at all stages of life… With its credible challenge to conventional wisdom, Make It Stick does point the way forward, with a very real prospect of tangible and enduring benefits. -- Glenn C. Altschuler * Psychology Today *Presents a compelling case for why we are attracted to the wrong strategies for learning and teaching—and what we can do to remedy our approaches… In clear language, Make It Stick explains the science underlying how people learn. But the authors don’t simply recite the research; they show readers how it is applied in real-life learning scenarios, with engaging stories of real people in academic, professional, and sports environments… The learning strategies proposed in this book can be implemented immediately, at no cost, and to great effect… Make It Stick will help you become a much more productive learner. -- Stephanie Castellano * TD Magazine *If I could, I would assign all professors charged with teaching undergraduates one book: Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning… It lays out what we know about the science of learning in clear, accessible prose. Every educator—and parent, and student, and professional—ought to have it on their own personal syllabus. -- Annie Murphy Paul * The Brilliant blog *This is a quite remarkable book. It describes important research findings with startling implications for how we can improve our own learning, teaching, and coaching. Even more, it shows us how more positive attitudes toward our own abilities—and the willingness to tackle the hard stuff—enables us to achieve our goals. The compelling stories bring the ideas out of the lab and into the real world. -- Robert Bjork, University of California, Los AngelesLearning is essential and life-long. Yet as these authors argue convincingly, people often use exactly the wrong strategies and don't appreciate the ones that work. We’ve learned a lot in the last decade about applying cognitive science to real-world learning, and this book combines everyday examples with clear explanations of the research. It’s easy to read—and should be easy to learn from, too! -- Daniel L. Schacter, author of The Seven Sins of Memory

Read more less

Book SynopsisTrade Review"The best statement of the psychological position in the literature on international politics. Highly readable, informative, and thought-provoking."--Library Journal "This exceptional book is a landmark in the study of cognitive processes in government foreign policy decision making. It integrates a thorough grasp of major psychological theory and research concerning individual cognitive processes with a detailed and perceptive reading of numerous historical accounts of international politics."--Contemporary Psychology "A valuable contribution to the theoretical literature on international relations."--ChoiceTable of ContentsPREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION xiii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS xci INTRODUCTION 3 I The Setting 1 Perception and the Level of Analysis Problem 13 Do Perceptions Matter? 13 The International Environment 18 Compulsion in Extreme Circumstances? 19 Domestic Determinants 21 The Bureaucracy 24 Perceptions, Reality, and a Two-Step Model 28 2 External Stimuli, Internal Processes, and Intentions 32 Introduction 32 External versus Internal Sources of Behavior 35 Intentions 48 Inaccurate Predictions about One's Own Behavior 54 3 Deterrence, the Spiral Model, and Intentions of the Adversary 58 Two Views of International Relations and the Cold War 58 Deterrence 58 The Spiral Model 62 Psychological Dynamics 67 Self-Fulfilling Prophecies and Problems with Incrementalism 76 Self-Defeating Power 78 Prescriptions 82 Universal Generalizations? 84 Evidence against the Spiral Model 84 Evidence against Deterrence 90 Deterrence and World War II; Spiral Model and World War I 94 When Will Force and Threats Work? The Decision-Maker's Choice 96 When Will Force and Threats Work? Hypotheses 100 Perceptions of Intention and Analyses of What ls at Stake 102 Other Explanations for the Differences between the Spiral and Deterrence Theories 107 Differences in Values 108 Claims for a Dominant Strategy 109 Dangers of Applying Gradualism to an Aggressive Adversary 110 Suggestions 111 II Processes of Perception 4 Cognitive Consistency and the Interaction between Theory and Data 117 Consistency: Rational and Irrational 117 Rational Consistency 119 Cognitive-Affective Balance 120 Source-Message Interaction 122 Implications 124 Irrational Consistency-Avoidance of Value Trade-Offs 128 Assimilation of Information to Pre-existing Beliefs 143 The Impact of Expectations on Perceptions 145 The Necessary Interdependence of Facts and Theories 154 The Interdependence between Facts and Theories in Science 156 The Impact of Categorization 162 Different Theories, Different Perceptions 163 The Emergence of New Theories and Images 165 Cognitive Distortion and Implications for Decision-Making 172 Failure to Recognize the Influence of Pre-Existing Beliefs 181 Excessive and Premature Cognitive Closure 187 Implications for Decision-Making 191 Confidence, Commitment, and Ambiguity 195 Implications for Decision-Making 201 5 The Impact of the Evoked Set 203 Evoked Set in the Absence of Communication 203 Communication and Estimating the Evoked Set of the Other 205 Misunderstandings within a Government: Differences in Information, Perspectives, and Time Lags 206 Uneven Distribution of Information within Governments 209 Differences in Evoked Set Caused by Differences in Concerns 211 Conclusions 215 6 How Decision-Makers Learn from History 217 Introduction 217 Lessons as Predispositions 222 Alternative Explanations 225 The Learning Process 227 Organizational Learning 238 Events from Which People Learn Most 239 Firsthand Experiences 239 Some Consequences 243 Alternative Explanations 246 Early Experiences and Generational Effects 249 Generational Effects 253 Alternative Explanations 257 Delayed Impact on Policy 260 Events Important to the Person's State or Organization 262 Revolutions 262 The Last War 266 Range of Available Alternative Analogies 270 What Lessons Do People Learn? 271 Impact of Constant Factors 271 Lessons about Specific Actors 274 Reactions to Failure 275 Nothing Fails like Success 278 Alternative Explanations 219 Summary 281 Appendix: The Impact of Domestic Politics and Training on Perceptual Predispositions 283 Learning from Domestic Politics 283 Training 287 7 Attitude Change 288 Introduction 288 Mechanisms of Attitude Preservation and Change 291 Centrality 297 The Rate at Which Discrepant Information Is Received 308 Beliefs Especially Resistant to Discrepant Information 310 III Common Misperceptions 8 Perceptions of Centralization 319 Unity and Planning 319 Plans, Not Accidents and Confusion 321 One Actor, Not Several 323 Special Cases 326 Variables Encouraging the Perception of Unity and Planning 327 Being Misinformed about One's Own Behavior 329 Misinformation about Physical Effects 331 Disobedience by Agents 332 Causes of Disobedience 332 Types of Disobedience 333 Consequences of Lack of Awareness of Agents' Behavior 334 Consequences of Perceptions of Unity and Planning 338 9 Overestimating One's Importance as Influence or Target 343 Introduction 343 Overestimating One's Effectiveness 344 Perceptions of Influence and Turning Points 348 Injury and Perceptions of the Other's Autonomy 349 Belief that the Other Understands that You Are Not a Threat 354 10 The Influence of Desires and Fears on Perceptions 356 Wishful Thinking 356 Experiments: Lack of Incentives for Accuracy 357 Desires or Expectations? 359 Direct Impact of Affect 361 Experimental Manipulation of Affect 361 Judgments of Desirability and Probability 362 Other Experiments 363 Wishful Thinking in International Relations 365 Perceptions of Danger: Vigilance or Defense? 372 Avoidance of Perceptions of Extreme Probabilities 378 Summary 380 11 Cognitive Dissonance and International Relations 382 Cognitive Dissonance Theory 382 Cognitive Dissonance and Inertia 387 The Magnitude of Dissonance 392 The Impact of Spending Resources 393 Incentives and Compulsion 399 Boomerang Effects 404 Summary 406 IV In Lieu of Conclusions 12 Minimizing Misperception 409 Making Assumptions and Predictions Explicit 410 Devil's Advocates 415 Conversions 418 Identities and Missions 418 Awareness of Common Misperceptions 423 BIBLIOGRAPHY 425 INDEX 433

Read more less

Book Synopsis'How Emotions Are Made did what all great books do. It took a subject I thought I understood and turned my understanding upside down' - Malcolm Gladwell, author of The Tipping Point.When you feel anxious, angry, happy, or surprised, what's really going on inside of you? Many scientists believe that emotions come from a specific part of the brain, triggered by the world around us. The thrill of seeing an old friend, the fear of losing someone we love – each of these sensations seems to arise automatically and uncontrollably from within us, finding expression on our faces and in our behaviour, carrying us away with the experience.This understanding of emotion has been around since Plato. But what if it is wrong? In How Emotions Are Made, pioneering psychologist and neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett draws on the latest scientific evidence to reveal that our common-sense ideas about emotions are dramatically, even dangerously, out of date – and that we have been paying the price. Emotions aren't universally pre-programmed in our brains and bodies; rather they are psychological experiences that each of us constructs based on our unique personal history, physiology and environment.This new view of emotions has serious implications: when judges issue lesser sentences for crimes of passion, when police officers fire at threatening suspects, or when doctors choose between one diagnosis and another, they're all, in some way, relying on the ancient assumption that emotions are hardwired into our brains and bodies. Revising that conception of emotion isn't just good science, Barrett shows; it's vital to our well-being and the health of society itself.Trade ReviewHow Emotions Are Made did what all great books do. It took a subject I thought I understood and turned my understanding upside down. -- Malcolm GladwellThe definitive field guide to feelings and the neuroscience behind them. -- Angela Duckworth, bestselling author of GritA brilliant and original book on the science of emotion, by the deepest thinker about this topic since Darwin -- Daniel Gilbert, author of the bestseller Stumbling on HappinessMeticulous, well-researched, and deeply thought out . . . For anyone who has struggled to reconcile brain and heart, this book will be a treasure; it explains the science without short-changing the humanism of its topic. -- Andrew Solomon, bestselling author of Far from the Tree and The Noonday DemonRadical and fascinating ... How Emotions are Made defends a bold new vision of the most central aspects of human nature. -- Paul Bloom, author of Against Empathy and How Pleasure WorksEvery lawyer and judge doing serious criminal trials should read this book. -- Baroness Helena Kennedy QC House of Lords, U.K.Barrett's figurative selfie of the brain is brilliant. * Booklist *A provocative, insightful, and engaging analysis ... You won't think about emotions in the same way after you read this important book. -- Daniel L. Schacter, author of The Seven Sins of MemoryThe implications of Lisa Barrett’s work (which ‘only’ challenges two-thousand-year-old assumptions about the brain) are nothing short of stunning. Even more stunning is how extraordinarily well she succeeds. -- Nancy Gertner, Senior Lecturer on Law, Harvard Law School, and former U.S. federal judge for the United States District Court of MassachusettsThis is a provocative, accessible, important book. -- Robert Sapolsky, author of Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers and A Primate's MemoirLisa Feldman Barrett illuminates the fascinating new science of our emotions. -- Peggy Orenstein, author of Girls & SexLisa Barrett masterfully integrates discoveries from affective science, neuroscience, social psychology, and philosophy to make sense of the many instances of emotion that you experience and witness each day. -- Barbara Fredrickson, author of Positivity and Love 2.0Fascinating . . . a thought-provoking journey into emotion science * The Wall Street Journal *Lisa Barrett writes with great clarity about how your emotions are not merely about what you're born with, but also about how your brain pieces your feelings together, and how you can contribute to the process. She tells a compelling story. -- Joseph Le Doux, author of Anxious and Synaptic SelfFascinating . . . a thought-provoking journey into emotion science * The Wall Street Journal *Table of ContentsIntroduction - i: Introduction: The Two Thousand Year Old Assumption Chapter - 1: The Search For Emotion's ''Fingerprints'' Chapter - 2: Emotions Are Constructed Chapter - 3: The Myth of Universal Emotions Chapter - 4: The Origin of Feeling Chapter - 5: Concepts, Goals, and Words Chapter - 6: How the Brain Makes Emotions Chapter - 7: Emotions As A Social Reality Chapter - 8: A New View of Human Nature Chapter - 9: Mastering Your Emotions Chapter - 10: Emotions and Illness Chapter - 11: Emotion and the Law Chapter - 12: Is a Growling Dog Angry? Chapter - 13: From Brain to Mind: The New Frontier Acknowledgements - ii: Acknowledgments Section - iii: Appendix A: Brain Basics Section - iv: Appendix B: Supplement for Chapter 2 Section - v: Appendix C: Supplement for Chapter 3 Section - vi: Appendix D: Evidence for the Concept Cascade Section - vii: Bibliography Section - viii: Notes Section - ix: Illustration Credits Index - x: Index

Read more less

Book SynopsisA comprehensive introduction for undergraduate students. Principals of Sensorimotor Control and Learning presents an integrated picture of sensorimotor behaviour. It provides integrated coverage of: brain and behaviour, perception and action, theory and experiment, performance (kinematics and kinetics of behaviour) and outcomes.Trade Review"James Tresilian has written the most detailed, comprehensive text in motor control and learning - a must for those in the field." - Jane Clark, Kinesiology Department, University of Maryland, USA "I am impressed by the crystal-clear writing style, exposition, figures, and internal consistency." - Jos Adam, Maastricht University Medical Centre, The Netherlands "A valuable new addition in a field where up-to-date and comprehensive texts suitable for the newcomer are few and far between." - Kielan Yarrow, Department of Psychology, City University London, UK "This is an ideal comprehensive text for motor control and learning courses as it fills the gap between general neuroscience reference books and psychology-based texts that are 'traditionally' recommended in exercise science and kinesiology programs." - Timothy J. Carroll, School of Human Movement Studies, The University of Queensland, Australia "This book will be a terrific resource for advanced undergraduate and graduate students of motor control. It tightly integrates behavioral principles with state-of-the-art neuroscience into a modern, accessible, and well-illustrated package." - Rachael D. Seidler, Department of Psychology, School of Kinesiology, Neuroscience Program & Institute of Gerontology, University of Michigan, USATable of ContentsPART I: FUNDAMENTALS Motor Behavior and Control Neuromechanical Foundations Sensorimotor Foundations Visuomotor Foundations PART II: SENSORIMOTOR CONTROL Stimulus-Elicited Behavior Reflex Circuitry and Voluntary Motor Control Spatial Orientation and Postural Control Locomotion on Legs Getting Around: Visual Control of Locomotor Manoeuvres Staying on Track Programs and Pattern Generation Aiming to be Accurate Sequences and Series PART III: SENSORIMOTOR LEARNING Learning: Process and Mechanism Adaptation and Acquisition.

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisHypocrisy is the natural state of the human mind. This title shows us that the key to understanding our behavioral inconsistencies lies in understanding the mind's design. It explains the roots and implications of our inconsistent minds, and why it is perfectly natural to believe that everyone else is a hypocrite.Trade Review"Bolstered by recent studies and research, Kurzban makes a convincing and coherent ... case for the modular mind, greatly helped by humorous footnotes and examples... Taking on lofty topics, including truth and belief, Kurzban makes a successful case for changing--and remapping--the modern mind."--Publishers Weekly "Using humour and anecdotes, [Kurzban] reveals how conflict between the modules of the mind leads to contradictory beliefs, vacillating behaviours, broken moral boundaries and inflated egos. He argues that we should think of ourselves not as 'I' but as 'we'--a collection of interacting systems that are in constant conflict."--Nature "Robert Kurzban believes that we are all hypocrites. But not to worry, he explains, hypocrisy is the natural state of the human mind. In his book Why Everyone (Else) Is a Hypocrite: Evolution and the Modular Mind, Kurzban asserts that the human mind consists of many specialized units, which do not always work together seamlessly. When this harmony breaks down, people often develop contradictory beliefs."--Victoria Stern, Scientific American Mind "Kurzban is a luminary in the growing discipline of evolutionary psychology... [P]rovocative... Kurzban devotes much space to explicating and demonstrating ways in which his theory plays out in our everyday lives."--Library Journal "With wit, wisdom, and occasional hilarity, Robert Kurzban offers explanations for why we do the things we do, such as morally condemning the sale of human organs and locking the refrigerator at night to keep from snacking... Kurzban touches on some complex topics in a manner that's both smart and accessible. He incorporates a plethora of psychological studies to support his theories but the narrative is never dry... By challenging common assumptions about habits, morality, and preferences, Kurzban keeps readers both entertained and enlightened."--Foreword Reviews "[Kurzban] argues that ... internal conflicts are not limited to extreme cases; they occur in everyone's brains, leading to illogical beliefs and contradictory behaviors. That's not necessarily a bad thing, according to Kurzban. In fact, being selectively irrational may give us an evolutionary advantage."--Kacie Glenn, Chronicle of Higher Education "Robert Kurzban has used his view of evolutionary psychology to pursue the concept of 'self' at the heart of both the discipline of psychology and the everyday understanding of human behavior--which surely is of interest to everyone... The book itself is fresh. Kurzban's style is to take traditional questions and apparently reasonable positions and then demonstrate that reasonableness is actually only so under a set of assumptions--and that if they do not conform to the modularity hypothesis then we ought to rethink."--Tom Dickins, Times Higher Education "Highly recommended."--Jessica Palmer, Bioephemera blog "I'm sure that Why Everyone (Else) Is a Hypocrite will provoke a lot of controversy, and I'm certain that Kurzban's theses will require further refinement. But what a fascinating read!"--Brenda Jubin, Reading the Markets blog "[T]here is much that is valuable in Kurzban's book."--Peter Carruthers, Trends in Cognitive Sciences "We're all inconsistent and self-deceiving, says evolutionary psychologist Robert Kurzban. Our modular minds didn't evolve for consistency, but for patchwork multitasking... As Kurzban says, understanding how and why we can be so 'ignorant, wrong, irrational, and hypocritical' may help us work towards a fairer society."--Susan Blackmore, BBC Focus "Kurzban brilliantly (and often hilariously) breaks down the system of functional modules, explaining their existence through evolution, and their hypocrisy through a lack of communication. Why Everyone (Else) is a Hypocrite delves into a part of psychology that has famously been ignored by many prominent members in the field."--Haley M. Dillon and Rachael A. Carmen, Journal of Social, Evolutionary, and Cultural PsychologyTable of ContentsAcknowledgments ix Prologue 1 Chapter 1: Consistently Inconsistent 4 Chapter 2: Evolution and the Fragmented Brain 23 Chapter 3: Who Is "I"? 45 Chapter 4: Modular Me 57 Chapter 5: The Truth Hurts 76 Chapter 6: Psychological Propaganda 98 Chapter 7: Self-Deception 132 Chapter 8: Self-Control 151 Chapter 9: Morality and Contradictions 186 Chapter 10: Morality Is for the Birds 206 Epilogue 218 Notes 221 References 245 Index 267

Read more less

Book SynopsisWinner of British Psychological Society Best Book Prize (Popular Science) 2023Nature's Top 10 Books of 2023A Financial Times Book of the Year 2023?A Waterstones Book of the Year for Politics 2023Fake news. Alternative facts. Conspiracy theories. Misinformation is one of the defining problems of our age, and despite what we may think, we are all susceptible. So how and why does misinformation spread? And, more importantly, what can we do about it? Sander van der Linden, a Cambridge University professor and leading expert, takes us through the psychology of conspiratorial thinking and equips us with the tools needed to help stop the spread of misinformation once and for all.''Authoritative'' Financial Times''Encouraging'' The TimesA fascinating case for counteracting the misinformation virus through psychological inoculation' ObserverA must-read for those of us interested in resisting the spread of disinformation' Psychology Today''If you want to know why people believe fake news and howTrade Review'Authoritative' Financial Times 'Encouraging' The Times ‘A fascinating case for counteracting the misinformation virus through psychological inoculation’ Observer ‘Foolproof proves an overview that is authoritative, comprehensive and chatty. You won’t find a better survey of what is now a vast interdisciplinary landscape and that alone is a great service.’ Tim Harford, FT ‘An insightful and forensic examination of why our brains entertain disinformation – and the remedies that can protect us all from its real-world harm. For everyone who messages me asking how they can speak to someone who has fallen victim to online conspiracies – this is the book for you!’ Marianna Spring ‘Powerfully analyses why everyone is susceptible, how falsehoods spread, and how to “prebunk” misinformation and “inoculate” ourselves and others against it’ Nature ‘A fascinating, in-depth investigation into the complex landscape of misinformation from someone who has spent his career trying to combat fake news. You will never look at your social media feeds in the same way again’ Angela Saini, author of Inferior and Superior ‘a must-read for those of us interested in resisting the spread of disinformation’ Psychology Today ‘This brilliant book vividly illuminates the challenges of countering misinformation, showing how human psychology can make us vulnerable to manipulation and conspiracy theories. Van der Linden’s analysis would be utterly depressing, were he not to provide a set of powerful evidence-based 'antigens' designed to protect us from false claims. They have never been more needed’ Professor David Spiegelhalter ‘Sander van der Linden is one of the world’s leading experts on combating misinformation, and Foolproof is the ultimate handbook for navigating – and fighting back against – the tsunami that threatens to drown us in bullshit’ Jay Van Bavel, author of The Power of Us

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Beautifully written and researched.' - Isabella Tree, author of WildingThe physical world is infinitely complex, yet most of us are able to find our way around it. We can walk through unfamiliar streets while maintaining a sense of direction, take shortcuts along paths we have never used and remember for many years places we have visited only once. These are remarkable achievements.In Wayfinding, Michael Bond explores how we do it: how our brains make the ‘cognitive maps’ that keep us orientated, even in places that we don’t know. He considers how we relate to places, and asks how our understanding of the world around us affects our psychology and behaviour.The way we think about physical space has been crucial to our evolution: the ability to navigate over large distances in prehistoric times gave Homo sapiens an advantage over the rest of the human family. Children are instinctive explorers, developing a spatial understanding as they roam. And yet today few of us make use of the wayfaring skills that we inherited from our nomadic ancestors. Most of us have little idea what we may be losing.Bond seeks an answer to the question of why some of us are so much better at finding our way than others. He also tackles the controversial subject of sex differences in navigation, and finally tries to understand why being lost can be such a devastating psychological experience.For readers of writers as different as Robert Macfarlane and Oliver Sacks, Wayfinding is a book that can change our sense of ourselves.'A fascinating excursion into the very nature of exploration. Absorbing stuff.' – explorer Benedict AllenTrade ReviewFascinating . . . Bond offers stories of phenomenal feats of navigation . . . Ultimately, “we are spatial beings” and Wayfinding skilfully and at times movingly makes the case for how deeply that is true. * Sunday Times *In this fascinating book about our gift for what Michael Bond calls wayfinding, he makes a compelling case that our ancient abilities to get from A to B aren’t just a matter of geography. * New Statesman *Michael Bond’s fascinating, incisive account of how the human brain evolved to keep us orientated throws up intriguing questions about how we live today . . . Beautifully written and researched; I hugely enjoyed this book. -- Isabella Tree, author of WildingTo understand anything, we first need to put it in some sort of order. A sense of direction is essential to the development of intelligence. Does this mean our world of automated travel and route-dictating apps is making us stupid? Michael Bond investigates in Wayfinding. * New Scientist *One of the most fascinating books I have read for a long while, not least because of how it opens up so many other subjects. * Scotsman *I hope this book will inspire people to explore and experiment with [their navigational] abilities, for if they do, they will be in for a wonderful surprise. -- Robin Knox-JohnstonAn excellently researched popular science book which explains how people — including experienced travellers — get lost, and why some individuals have superior navigational skills than others. * Spectator *A fascinating excursion into the very nature of exploration. Absorbing stuff. -- Benedict Allen

Read more less

Book SynopsisFrom the author of Emergence and The Ghost Map, Steven Johnson''s Where Good Ideas Come From: The Seven Patterns of Innovation identifies key principles that are the driving force of creativity. Learn how:A slow hunch can be much more valuable than a Eureka momentThe connected ''hive mind'' is smarter than the lone thinkerWhere you think matters just as much as what you''re thinkingThe best ideas come from building on the ideas and inventions of others From the Renaissance to satellites, medical breakthroughs to social media, Charles Darwin to Marconi, Steven Johnson shows how, by recognising where and how patterns of creativity occur, we can all discover the secrets of inspiration. ''Inspirational'' - Independent ''Exhilarating ... An entirely new way of looking at almost everything'' - Guardian ''A huge diversity of bright ideas'' - Financial Times ''Johnson fTrade ReviewStimulating and insightful ... a huge diversity of bright ideas * Financial Times *Johnson develops his provocative thesis in a book that is lucid and ... brilliant. * New Scientist *[An] exhilarating, idea-thirsty book ... full of intriguing facts. * Sunday Times *

Read more less

Book SynopsisMost of us have no idea what’s really going on inside our heads. Yet brain scientists have uncovered details every business leader, parent, and teacher should know—like the need for physical activity to get your brain working its best.How do we learn? What exactly do sleep and stress do to our brains? Why is multi-tasking a myth? Why is it so easy to forget—and so important to repeat new knowledge? Is it true that men and women have different brains?In Brain Rules, Dr. John Medina, a molecular biologist, shares his lifelong interest in how the brain sciences might influence the way we teach our children and the way we work. In each chapter, he describes a brain rule—what scientists know for sure about how our brains work—and then offers transformative ideas for our daily lives.Medina’s fascinating stories and infectious sense of humor breathe life into brain science. You’ll learn why Michael Jordan was no good atTrade Review"Dissects the workings of the brain in plain English, explaining its role in the workplace and classroom...a writing style that makes words leap off the page." - USA TODAY "Oliver Sacks meets Getting Things Done." - Cory Doctorow, co-editor of Boing Boing "A marvelous job in simplifying the best ways to get the most out of our brains. He is funny, tender, and completely engaging. Everyone should read this book." - John Ratey, MD, author of Spark and A User's Guide to the Brain "Brain Rules is one of the most informative, engaging, and useful books of our time." - Garr Reynolds, author of Presentation Zen "A self-designated 'grumpy scientist,' Medina cites only research that has appeared in peer-reviewed journals and that has been successfully replicated. Remarkably, this molecular biologist is a gifted communicator who is able to write for both the scientist and the layperson." - Psychiatric Times "Medina has taken what may be the most complex thing we know -- the human mind -- and explained it in a way that even the human mind can understand. Brain Rules is THE book on how neuroscience can help you at work and at home." - Douglas Stone, co-author of Difficult Conversations "Few people are better qualified to help managers sift through all the hype than John Medina." - Harvard Business ReviewTable of Contentssurvival The human brain evolved, too. exercise Exercise boosts brain power. sleep Sleep well, think well. stress Stressed brains don't learn the same way. wiring Every brain is wired differently. attention We don't pay attention to boring things. memory Repeat to remember. sensory integration Stimulate more of the senses. vision Vision trumps all other senses. music Study or listen to boost cognition. gender Male and female brains are different. exploration We are powerful and natural explorers.

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Highly accessible, content-rich and eminently readable . . . Fascinating and informative . . . popular science at its best.' - The Observer'Subtly radical . . . It presents a revelatory model of consciousness that will be completely new to most readers' - The Guardian 'Best Reads For Summer'Have you ever wondered why you have a brain? Let renowned neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett, bestselling author of How Emotions Are Made, demystify that big grey blob between your ears . . .In seven short chapters (plus a brief history of how brains evolved), this slim, entertaining, and accessible book reveals mind-expanding lessons from the front lines of neuroscience research. You’ll learn where brains came from, how they’re structured (and why it matters), and how yours works in tandem with other brains to create everything you experience. Along the way, you’ll also learn to dismiss popular myths such as the idea of a 'lizard brain' and the alleged battle between thoughts and emotions, or even between nature and nurture, to determine your behaviour.Sure to intrigue casual readers and scientific veterans alike, Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain is full of surprises, humour, and important implications for human nature - a gift of a book about our most complex and crucial organ.Trade ReviewBeautiful writing and sublime insights that will blow your mind like a string of firecrackers. If you want a rundown of the brain and its magic, start here. -- David Eagleman, New York Times bestselling author of IncognitoSeven and a Half Lessons About the Brain reads like a novel – and its main character is all of us. In fresh and lively prose, Barrett provides deep insight into what brains are for, how they operate and are programmed, how they create the 'reality' we experience, and how they ultimately produce our thoughts, feelings, and actions. Read this book! It will make you smarter about yourself, and your species. -- Leonard Mlodinow, New York Times bestselling author of The Drunkard's WalkA smart and delightfully breezy look at the things most of us think we know about the brain, but don't. -- Daniel Gilbert, New York Times bestselling author of Stumbling on Happiness

Read more less

Book SynopsisLook out for Daniel Pink’s new book, When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing#1 New York Times Business Bestseller #1 Wall Street Journal Business Bestseller #1 Washington Post bestsellerFrom the bestselling author of Drive and A Whole New Mind, and teacher of the popular MasterClass on Sales and Persuasion, comes a surprising--and surprisingly useful--new book that explores the power of selling in our lives. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, one in nine Americans works in sales. Every day more than fifteen million people earn their keep by persuading someone else to make a purchase. But dig deeper and a startling truth emerges: Yes, one in nine Americans works in sales. But so do the other eight. Whether we’re employees pitching colleagues on a new idea, entrepreneurs enticing funders to invest, or parents and teachers cajoling children to study, we spend our days trying to move others. Like it or not, we’re all in sales now. To Sell Is Human offers a fresh look at the art and science of selling. As he did in Drive and A Whole New Mind, Daniel H. Pink draws on a rich trove of social science for his counterintuitive insights. He reveals the new ABCs of moving others (it''s no longer "Always Be Closing"), explains why extraverts don''t make the best salespeople, and shows how giving people an "off-ramp" for their actions can matter more than actually changing their minds. Along the way, Pink describes the six successors to the elevator pitch, the three rules for understanding another''s perspective, the five frames that can make your message clearer and more persuasive, and much more. The result is a perceptive and practical book--one that will change how you see the world and transform what you do at work, at school, and at home.

Read more less

Book SynopsisA simple and accessible exploration of the best-selling author of Letting Go and Power vs. Force David R. Hawkins, M.D., Ph.D. most famous work, The Map of Consciousness, that will help you to experience healing and transcendence.World-renowned author, psychiatrist, clinician, spiritual teacher, and researcher of consciousness David R. Hawkins shares that we are all born with an energetic frequency within the vast field of consciousness. And with The Map of Consciousness, we can truly understand the total spectrum of human emotions and consciousness.Using a unique muscle-testing method, Dr. David R. Hawkins conducted more than 250,000 calibrations during 20 years of research to define a range of values, attitudes, and emotions that correspond to levels of consciousness. This range of values-along with a logarithmic scale of 1 to 1,000-became the Map of Consciousness, which Dr. David R. Hawkins first wrote about in his best-selling book, Power vs. Force.With the Map, Dr. David R. Hawkins laid out the entire spectrum of consciousness, from the lower levels of Shame, Guilt, Apathy, Fear, Anger, and Pride; to Courage, Acceptance, and Reason; all the way up to the more expanded levels of Love, Ecstasy, Peace, and Enlightenment. These higher energy fields are a carrier wave of immense life energy.An essential primer on the late Dr. David R. Hawkins's teachings on human consciousness and their associated energy fields, The Map of Consciousness Explained offers an introduction and deeper understanding of the Map, with visual charts and practical applications to help you heal, recover, and evolve to higher levels of consciousness and energy.This enlightening book transcends the boundaries of conventional wisdom, integrating the realms of psychology, philosophy, and spirituality in a powerful exploration of human consciousness and human potential to help you be more effective in every area of your life.Some highlights include:· A thoughtful fusion of psychology, philosophy, and spirituality.· A comprehensive interpretation of the law of attraction and its intrinsic link with consciousness and personal evolution.· A scientifically grounded guide to harness the power of positive thinking and its practical applications.· An insightful perspective on the 'power vs force' dynamic, offering fresh insights into personal and professional relationships.· An enriching collection of practical exercises and affirmations designed to awaken and energize your consciousness.Dr. David R. Hawkins has a remarkable ability to simplify complex concepts. Whether you're in search of motivational books for women, leadership books for aspiring entrepreneurs, or behavior books to comprehend the nuances of human interaction, this book can revolutionize how you perceive and interact with the world, inspiring profound transformation and positive change.That which weakens life energy is to be avoided: shame, guilt, confusion, fear, hatred, pride, hopelessness, and falsehood. That which uplifts life is to be realized: truth, courage, acceptance, reason, love, beauty, joy, and peace. –David R. Hawkins, M.D., Ph.D.Whether you're a scholar, a personal growth enthusiast, or simply on a path of self-discovery, this book will help you live with more awareness and lead a more conscious and fulfilling life.Trade Review“I recommend this book for every spiritual aspirant for climbing the unseen ladder of real spiritual progress.”— Swami Chidatmananda, Hindu spiritual monk at Chinmaya Mission, Bharat India

Read more less

Book SynopsisExploring breakthroughs in language and cognition research, Caleb Everett finds that fundamentals of human perception are culturally encoded by the words and sentences we use. The experience of time, space, color, odor, and taste is substantially influenced by language, so that basic interactions with the world vary greatly across peoples.Trade ReviewIn the Amazonian region of Brazil, where anthropologist Caleb Everett spent much of his childhood, speakers of Tupi-Kawahíb never refer to time ‘passing by.’ Indeed, the language has no word for ‘time.’ By contrast, most European languages have few abstract words for odours, whereas languages in a number of other cultures have more than a dozen. Everett’s fascinating book—based on collaboration with biologists, chemists, political scientists and engineers—ponders such differences between the world’s 7,000-plus languages. -- Andrew Robinson * Nature *An assured guide to new thinking about how language shapes the way we see the world—at a time when thousands of languages are vanishing. -- Colin Barras * New Scientist *Historically, academics have looked for commonalities among languages and focused mainly on those used by Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic (WEIRD) societies. But, Everett says, the tide is shifting…His book synthesizes his own and others’ research that brings in data from non-WEIRD languages and broadens our understanding of how words affect cognition, including how we process the concepts of time, space, color, and kinship. -- Lucy Swedberg * Harvard Business Review *Offers readers a tantalizing glimpse into the wide variety of human speech patterns evident in the world today. * Library Journal *An enlightening examination of human communication based on the findings of linguist fieldworkers—himself included—as well as researchers in areas such as cognitive psychology, data science, and respiratory medicine. * Kirkus Reviews *Everett relates complex linguistic discussions in accessible terms, and each page is full of thought-provoking insights. * Publishers Weekly (starred review) *Blending an ethnographer’s richness with an experimentalist’s clarity, Everett adroitly explains how what we’ve learned from data-driven studies of a myriad of tongues–from Amazonia and Africa to Australia and Austronesia–has dramatically shifted our understanding of the origins and nature of our species’ most salient ability: language. Far from being an isolated projection of innate psychology, languages evolve like other aspects of culture, adapting to our ecological contexts, social norms, acoustic environments, and cognitive inclinations. Languages also shape how speakers think, feel, and even perceive. With balance and breadth, this book offers an easy entry into a fascinating, though often ferocious, interdisciplinary field. -- Joe Henrich, author of The WEIRDest People in the World: How the West Became Psychologically Peculiar and Particularly ProsperousA marvelous tour of all that is amazing, perplexing, satisfying, and mysterious about languages and the humans who speak them. Everett combines up-to-date analyses with vivid descriptions of the diverse tools that humans use when they speak. His book drills down into deep mysteries but does so with a light hand, leading readers from one big question to the next. An essential read for anyone who wants to understand what we now know about language and how profoundly that understanding has recently evolved. -- Christine Kenneally, author of The Invisible History of the Human Race: How DNA and History Shape Our Identities and Our FuturesDo different languages create different experiences of the world? Everett offers up a wealth of nuanced insights on the state of the science to replace both the old exoticism and the lazy skepticism. This is an overdue and fascinating book. -- Gaston Dorren, author of Babel: Around the World in Twenty LanguagesA gift for language is a large part of what makes us human, but as Everett shows, that gift manifests itself in an astonishing spectrum of ways. As previous certainties about the structure of language erode and dissolve under pressure from new discoveries, researchers in many fields are finally grasping the importance of linguistic diversity. This is a careful yet deeply provocative work. -- Mark Abley, author of Spoken Here: Travels Among Threatened LanguagesThis book resoundingly demonstrates just how different languages can be and what those divergences reveal about us as a species. Based on both cutting-edge research and the author’s own experiences in the Amazon, where he grew up and conducted fieldwork, it will appeal to anyone who is interested in the science of language. -- Nick Evans, author of Words of Wonder: Endangered Languages and What They Tell Us

Read more less

Book Synopsis'Absorbing, mind-enlarging, studded with insights ... This could have significant real-world results' Sunday Times Humanity's greatest feat is our incredible ability to learn. Even in their first year, infants acquire language, visual and social knowledge at a rate that surpasses the best supercomputers. But how, exactly, do our brains learn? In How We Learn, leading neuroscientist Stanislas Dehaene delves into the psychological, neuronal, synaptic and molecular mechanisms of learning. Drawing on case studies of children who learned despite huge difficulty and trauma, he explains why youth is such a sensitive period, during which brain plasticity is maximal, but also assures us that our abilities continue into adulthood. We can all enhance our learning and memory at any age and 'learn to learn' by taking maximal advantage of the four pillars of the brain's learning algorithm: attention, active engagement, error feedback and consolidation. The human braiTrade ReviewThis is an absorbing, mind-enlarging book, studded with insights ... Could have significant real-world results. -- James McConnachie * Sunday Times *An entertaining survey of how science from brain scans to psychological tests is helping inspire pedagogy. Dehaene challenges many tropes [and] describes much of his own pioneering work ... Well translated from the French with some touching references to his upbringing, from the cult film La Jetée to the writing of Daniel Pennac. -- Andrew Jack * Financial Times *An expert overview of learning ... Dehaene's fourth insightful exploration of neuroscience will pay dividends for attentive readers. * Kirkus *

Read more less

Book SynopsisTHE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLERA monumental, gripping book Outstanding' SUNDAY TIMESNoise may be the most important book I''ve read in more than a decade. A genuinely new idea soexceedingly important you will immediately put it into practice. A masterpiece'Angela Duckworth, author of GritAn absolutely brilliant investigation of a massive societal problem that has been hiding in plain sight'Steven Levitt, co-author of FreakonomicsFrom the world-leaders in strategic thinking and the multi-million copy bestselling authors of Thinking Fast and Slow and Nudge, the next big book to change the way you think. We like to think we make decisions based on good reasoning and that our doctors, judges, politicians, economic forecasters and employers do too. In this groundbreaking book, three world-leading behavioural scientists come together to assess the last great fault in our collective decision-making: noise.We all make bad judgements more than we think. Noise shows us what we can do to make bettTrade Review The Sunday Times bestseller (May 2021) ‘A tour de force of scholarship and clear writing’New York Times ‘This is a monumental, gripping book. It is also bracing … The three authors have transformed the way we think about the world. They have looked beneath and beyond the way we make decisions and organise our lives. A follow-up of sorts to Thinking, Fast and Slow, it is a further step down the road towards a more complex and realistic grasp of human affairs that is replacing the crude simplifications of the recent past. Outstanding’Sunday Times ‘As you’d expect from its authors, it is a rigorous approach to an important topic… There’s lots to surprise and entertain. Anyone who has found the literature on cognitive biases important will find this a valuable addition to their knowledge’ Danny Finkelstein, The Times ‘Noise is everywhere and is seriously disruptive. The authors have come up with a bold solution. The book is a satisfying journey through a big but not unsolvable problem, with plenty of fascinating case studies along the way. Humans are often bad at making decisions. But we can get better’Martha Gill, Evening Standard ‘The greatest source of ineffective policies are often not biases, corruption or ill-will, but three “I”: Intuition, Ignorance and Inertia. This book masterfully demonstrates why the three “I” are so pervasive, and what we can do to fight them. An essential, eye opening read’Esther Duflo, winner of a 2019 Nobel Prize ‘In Noise, the authors brilliantly apply their unique and novel insights into the flaws in human judgment to every sphere of human endeavour… Noise is a masterful achievement and a landmark in the field of psychology’Philip E. Tetlock, co-author of Superforecasting ‘An electrifying exploration of the human mind, this book will permanently change the way we think about the scale and scope of bias’David Lammy

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book SynopsisPractical brain-aware facilitation tailored to the adult brain Facilitating Learning with the Adult Brain in Mind explains how the brain works, and how to help adults learn, develop, and perform more effectively in various settings.Table of ContentsPreface ix PART I: Brain: Then and Now 1 Chapter 1: Brain Basics–changes in the brain over eons 3 Chapter 2: The Learning, Changing Adult Brain–experience, memory, and emotions 33 Chapter 3: Metaphors, Embodiment, and Hemispheres–foundations of brain-aware approaches 59 PART II: PracticesThat Enhance Adult Learning–featuring the Theatre of Knowing 81 Chapter 4: Setting the Stage for Learning–lowering anxiety, engaging curiosity 91 Chapter 5: Enter Stage Left–starting with verbal-theoretical conceptual approaches in mind 115 Chapter 6: Enter Stage Right–starting with embodied and metaphorical approaches in mind 135 Chapter 7: Center Stage–interweaving multifaceted approaches 175 Chapter 8: Spotlight on Meaning Making–scaffolding reflection and feedback 215 PART III: Reflecting on Practice 245 Chapter 9: Enhancing Brain-Aware Practice with Theory–foundational theories of learning and development 247 Chapter 10: Toward Complexity and Commitment–learning that promotes courageous informed action 287 Epilogue 311 References 315 Acknowledgments 331 About the Authors and Contributors 333 Name Index 345 Subject Index 349

Read more less

'The authors ... are generous with their tips for a successful interrogation' The Sunday TimesIdentify the signsAsk the right questionsGet to the truthSpy the Lie is a fascinating study of deception and a comprehensive lesson in how to identify and combat it.Featuring case studies based on the authors' real-life experiences in the field - involving 'turned' assets, KGB moles and criminal government officials - it reveals the methodology developed and used by the CIA to detect deception in the realms of counterterrorism and criminal investigation, and shows you how you can apply these techniques in your daily life.Whether hiring a new employee, investing money, knowing whether your boss is being straight with you, or finding out what your kids have been up to, this ingenious book will enable you to identify deceptive behavior in all its forms, and show you the techniques that will help you reach the truth.

Read more less

Book SynopsisTwo New York Times–bestselling authors unveil new research showing what meditation can really do for the brain.   In the last twenty years, meditation and mindfulness have gone from being kind of cool to becoming an omnipresent Band-Aid for fixing everything from your weight to your relationship to your achievement level. Unveiling here the kind of cutting-edge research that has made them giants in their fields, Daniel Goleman and Richard Davidson show us the truth about what meditation can really do for us, as well as exactly how to get the most out of it.             Sweeping away common misconceptions and neuromythology to open readers’ eyes to the ways data has been distorted to sell mind-training methods, the authors demonstrate that beyond the pleasant states mental exercises can produce, the real payoffs are the lasting personality traits that can result. But short

Read more less

Book Synopsis

Read more less

Book Synopsis'The most influential thinker, in my life, has been the psychologist Richard Nisbett. He basically gave me my view of the world.'-Malcolm Gladwell"One of the world's leading thinkers" Daily TelegraphWhen Richard Nisbett showed an animated underwater scene to his American students, they zeroed in on a big fish swimming among smaller fish. Japanese subjects, on the other hand, made observations about the background environment...and the different "seeings" are a clue to profound underlying cognitive differences between Westerners and East Asians. As Professor Nisbett shows in The Geography of Thought people actually think - and even see - the world differently, because of differing ecologies, social structures, philosophies, and educational systems that date back to ancient Greece and China, and that have survived into the modern world. As a result, East Asian thought is "holistic" - drawn to the perceptual field as a whole, and to relations among objects and events within that field. By comparison to Western modes of reasoning, East Asian thought relies far less on categories, or on formal logic; it is fundamentally dialectic, seeking a "middle way" between opposing thoughts. By contrast, Westerners focus on salient objects or people, use attributes to assign them to categories, and apply rules of formal logic to understand their behaviour.Trade ReviewThe most influential thinker, in my life, has been the psychologist Richard Nisbett. He basically gave me my view of the world. -- Malcolm Gladwell[A] landmark book. The Geography of Thought shows that understanding of how individuals in eastern cultures think is not just nice, but necessary, if we wish to solve the problems we confront in the world today. We ignore the lessons of this book at our peril. -- Robert J. Sternberg, president of the American Psychological AssociationWesterners and Easterners see the world differently. Nisbett hopes that his work will change the way the cultures view each other. * New Scientist *Geography of Thought compares people from East Asia (Korea, China and Japan) with Westerners (from Europe, the British commonwealth and North America). Westerners typically see categories where Asians typically see relationships. Such differences in thinking can trip up business and political relationships * Wall Street Journal *A psychology professor dares to compare how Asians and Americans think. The upshot of Nisbett's research is that differences are real. They might not always be for the better, but they matter. * Forbes *The man whose ideas led to Malcolm Gladwell's Blink and to Nudge * The Times *Nisbett's results indicate fundamental differences in the ways Westerners and East Asians view the word. -- Kate Volpe, Association for Psychological ScienceThe fascinating cultural reason why Westerners and East Asians have polar opposite understandings of truth * Business Insider *One of the world's leading thinkers * Daily Telegraph *

Read more less

Book SynopsisWhy are some people smarter than others? This volume presents scientific research about the fundamental human attribute of intelligence. Written by two internationally recognised experts in straightforward language, the chapters address mental processes, brain imaging, genetics, aging, evidence-based prospects for enhancing intelligence and more.Trade Review'A riveting survey of modern research to unlock the nature and biological foundations of human intelligence by pioneers in the field.' Aron K. Barbey, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA'The Science of Human Intelligence by Richard J. Haier and Roberto Colom is probably the best book about human intelligence ever written. It comes as the second edition of Human Intelligence, written by Earl Hunt 12 years ago. Hunt's book was already a great text, which influenced research and teaching in the field considerably. This edition is much more than Hunt's book. It covers virtually everything we know about human intelligence: it provides an accurate and up-to-date picture of research findings and ideas, including the history, and the current cognitive and psychometric models, of intelligence, and summarizes and evaluates research on the brain, and the genetic, cultural, and environmental bases of intelligence. It is strongly suggested to anyone who wants to know how the human mind works and why humans differ on many of its functions.' Andreas Demetriou, University of Cyprus'Human intelligence is the major adaptive mechanism for humans. If humans and this planet are to survive, it will be important that we understand and optimize our intellectual capabilities. This book presents our current best understanding of human intelligence and how it should be studied.' Douglas K. Detterman, Psychologist, USA'To update Hunt's book must have been a challenging job. Roberto and Richard did so dexterously by inserting new and solid information. The result is a delightful book full of important information for those who want to learn from the best researchers in human intelligence.' Carmen Flores-Mendoza, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil'Perennially, there have been too few higher-level textbooks devoted to human intelligence differences. This engagingly voiced book is commendable as clear, current, comprehensive, and cautious.' Ian Deary, University of Edinburgh, UK'An excellent textbook that will leave readers with an informed and nuanced grasp of core and emerging findings in intelligence research. Drs. Haier and Colom succeed in presenting complex topics accessibly, and in modeling the commitment to scientific-mindedness and respectful discussion that is critical to progress in understanding human intelligence.' Matthew Euler, University of Utah, USA'The Science of Human Intelligence is a superb book. It provides an authoritative review of what is known about human intelligence, from its measurement to underlying brain systems to real-world consequences. The approach is balanced and up to date and does not shy away from controversial topics. This is a highly recommended must-read for anyone interested in the facts about human intelligence, and is appropriate for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as professionals who work in related areas, and the educated public.' David Geary, University of Missouri, USA'The Science of Human Intelligence is a great book. It provides a wealth of up-to-date scientific information and a comprehensive, thoughtful, and balanced evaluation of what is known, what is not known, and what still needs to be learned about human intelligence. It also provides much food for thought for those who are willing to learn from open discussions and even from constructive confrontation of competing ideas. It will answer many questions that readers might have about intelligence. More importantly, it will help them to ask new questions that they have not yet thought of.' Yulia Kovas, Goldsmiths, University of London, UK'A towering accomplishment! Human behavior can be better understood when variation in intelligence is considered. Engagingly written and packed with constructive insights, this book should be considered a must-read for advanced undergraduates and all persons interested in how post-industrial societies are structured. I expect many of its older, open-minded readers will feel educationally cheated if unexposed to this vibrant scientific arena earlier in their lives. Throughout, the authors demonstrate how many current explanations of human behavior that neglect the vast range of individual differences in cognitive functioning are untenable. If such problems as climate change, cyber-insecurity, educational-occupational disparities, pandemics, and even finding a fulfilling life are to be addressed realistically and humanely, individual differences in cognitive functioning must be considered. This book is the field as it now stands.' David Lubinski, Vanderbilt University, USA'With their 75 years of combined research experience in the field of intelligence, no other pair of authors could have written such an authoritative and comprehensive book. It lucidly covers the theories, methods, and results of intelligence research, from the environment and training to genes and the brain throughout the life course. Clear and engaging, the book doesn't shy away from controversial issues. Highly recommended.' Robert Plomin, King's College London, UK'This book critically analyzes research on human intelligence, distinguishing between science and politics. The authors admit that much still remains to be discovered and therefore address all those aspects easily susceptible to manipulation in a balanced way. This is an important merit of this book.' Aristide Saggino, University of Chieti-Pescara, ItalyTable of ContentsList of figures; List of tables; List of boxes; Preface; Acknowledgements; 1. A brief voyage to the past; 2. Basic concepts; 3. Psychometric models of intelligence; 4. Cognitive models of intelligence and information processing; 5. Intelligence and the brain; 6. The genetic basis of intelligence; 7. Experience and intelligence; 8. Intelligence and everyday life; 9. Introduction to the scientific study of population differences; 10. Sex differences and intelligence; 11. Intelligence and aging; 12. Intelligence in the world; 13. Enhancing intelligence; 14. A final word; References; Index.

Read more less

Book SynopsisThis unique and brilliant book is a history of human knowledge. Before the invention of printing, a trained memory was of vital importance. Based on a technique of impressing 'places' and 'images' on the mind, the ancient Greeks created an elaborate memory system which in turn was inherited by the Romans and passed into the European tradition, to be revived, in occult form, during the Renaissance. Frances Yates sheds light on Dante’s Divine Comedy, the form of the Shakespearian theatre and the history of ancient architecture; The Art of Memory is an invaluable contribution to aesthetics and psychology, and to the history of philosophy, of science and of literature.Trade ReviewFrances Yates is that rare thing, a truly thrilling scholar -- Michael Ratcliffe * The Times *One of those quite remarkable and unclassifiable books on the history of knowledge which suddenly makes sense of three or four issues in terms of one commanding metaphor -- Jonathan Miller * Observer *

Read more less

Book SynopsisThe human mind is both brilliant and pathetic. We have mastered fire and have stood on the moon, and yet every one of us is fundamentally ignorant, irrational and prone to making simple mistakes every day.'In The Knowledge Illusion, the cognitive scientists Steven Sloman and Philip Fernbach hammer another nail into the coffin of the rational individual . . . positing that not just rationality but the very idea of individual thinking is a myth.'Yuval Harari, bestselling author of Sapiens and Homo DeusIn this groundbreaking book, cognitive scientists Steven Sloman and Philip Fernbach show how our success as a species is down to us living in a rich community of knowledge where we are drawing on information and expertise outside our heads. And we have no idea that we are even doing it.Utilizing cutting-edge research, The Knowledge Illusion explains why we think we know more than we do, why beliefs are so hard to change and why we are so prone to making mistakes. Providing a blueprint for successful ways to work in collaboration to do amazing things, it reveals why the key to human intelligence lies in the way we think and work together.Trade ReviewIn The Knowledge Illusion, the cognitive scientists Steven Sloman and Philip Fernbach hammer another nail into the coffin of the rational individual . . . positing that not just rationality but the very idea of individual thinking is a myth. -- Yuval Harari, bestselling author of Sapiens and Homo DeusSloman and Fernbach offer clever demonstrations of how much we take for granted, and how little we actually understand . . . The book is stimulating, and any explanation of our current malaise that attributes it to cognitive failures — rather than putting it down to the moral wickedness of one group or another — is most welcome. Sloman and Fernbach are working to uproot a very important problem. * Financial Times *We all know less than we think we do, including how much we know about how much we know. There's no cure for this condition, but there is a treatment: this fascinating book. The Knowledge Illusion is filled with insights on how we should deal with our individual ignorance and collective wisdom. -- Steven PinkerWe radically overestimate how much we know. In this fascinating book, Steven Sloman and Philip Fernbach examine the origin and consequences of this knowledge illusion, exploring both the extent of our ignorance and the clever ways in which we overcome it. This is an exceptionally clear and well-reasoned book, and it has some important and radical things to say about everything from the allure of stories to how iPhones make us smarter to the pros and cons of democracy. This is psychology at its best. -- Paul BloomI love this book. A brilliant, eye-opening treatment of how little each of us knows, and how much all of us know. It's magnificent, and it's also a lot of fun. Read it! -- Cass R. Sunstein, coauthor of Nudge and founder and director, Program on Behavioral Economics and Public Policy, Harvard Law School

Read more less