This book reveals a remarkable paradox: what your brain wants is frequently not what your brain needs. In fact, much of what makes our brains “happy” leads to errors, biases, and distortions, which make getting out of our own way extremely difficult. Author David DiSalvo presents evidence from evolutionary and social psychology, cognitive science, neurology, and even marketing and economics. And he interviews many of the top thinkers in psychology and neuroscience today. From this research-based platform, DiSalvo draws out insights that we can use to identify our brains’ foibles and turn our awareness into edifying action. Ultimately, he argues, the research does not serve up ready-made answers, but provides us with actionable clues for overcoming the plight of our advanced brains and, consequently, living more fulfilled lives.
Review
“David DiSalvo takes us on a whistle-stop tour of our mind’s delusions. No aspect of daily life is left untouched: whether he is exploring job interviews, first dates or the perils of eBay, DiSalvo will change the way you think about thinking… an enjoyable manual to your psyche that may change your life.” —New Scientist
“This lively presentation of the latest in cognitive science convincingly debunks what DiSalvo calls ‘self-help snake oil.'” —Publisher’s Weekly
“DiSalvo offers ‘science-help’ (as opposed to self-help) by detailing the mental shortcuts our minds like to take but that don’t always serve us well, with the assumption that understanding brain function helps us fight its stubborn behavior.”
—Psychology Today
“A five-star intellectual smorgasbord of the latest speculations on what makes us tick.” –Robert Burton, MD, author of On Being Certain: Believing You Are Right Even When You’re Not“This book is the Swiss Army knife of psychology and neuroscience research—handy, practical, and very, very useful. It boils down the latest findings into simple easy-to-understand lessons you can apply to your daily life.” –Joseph T. Hallinan, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Why We Make Mistakes
About the Author
David DiSalvo is a science writer and public education specialist who writes about the intersection of science, health and culture. He is a senior contributor to Forbes and Psychology Today, and his work has also appeared in Scientific American Mind, TIME, The Wall Street Journal, Mental Floss, Slate, Quartz, Esquire and other publications. His first non-fiction book, What Makes Your Brain Happy and Why You Should Do the Opposite, has been published in 15 languages and is available worldwide. He is also the author of Brain Changer: How Harnessing Your Brain’s Power to Adapt Can Change Your Life, and The Brain in Your Kitchen.
Product details
- Full Audiobook MP3 Program
- Full PDF E-Book Included
- Print length : 309 pages
- ISBN-13 : 978-1616144838
- ISBN-10 : 1616144831
- Publisher : Prometheus; 125th edition (November 22, 2011)
- Language: : English