Telling Lies
Feb 25, 2010 Learning and Knowledge, Science and Technology, Self Help & Personal Training, Specialist Subjects
If, like me, you’re tired of hearing complete rubbish about how someone touching an ear, scratching their leg, making eye contact or not making eye contact are apparently sure-fire ways to tell that they are lying, this book will come as a welcome relief.
In Telling Lies, Paul Ekman discusses what possible indicators you can look out for to spot emotional states that can suggest lying, as well as explaining some of the different types of deception that we all practice, and why we do it. He also introduces the idea of microexpressions, those little tics that give away how we’re really feeling – if this sounds familiar to those of you who watch “Lie To Me,” that’s because Cal Lightman was pretty much based on Paul Ekman.
Amazon UK link – used only
Amazon.com link
Paul Ekman’s official site
Quirkology
Feb 19, 2010 Comedy, Learning and Knowledge, Science and Technology, Self Help & Personal Training, Skeptical books
If I were to ask you whether you would rather wear a sweater covered in dog feces, or a nice, clean one previously worn by a horrific mass murderer, what would you answer (other than “is there something wrong with you”)?
How about if I were to offer evidence that your starsign CAN reflect your personality in some way – but not because the constellations themselves have made any difference whatsoever?
Quirkology uses psychology, scientific studies and a liberal splash of humour to reveal some of the strangest, most unlikely things that effect us in ways that seem completely counter-intuitive and breathtakingly unlikely, as well as the methodology for what might be some of the oddest studies of all time.
Quirkology remains the most outstanding, most hilarious psychology book I have ever read. I suggest you read it, too.
Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth and Happiness
Feb 16, 2010 Learning and Knowledge, Philosophy & Thinking, Self Help & Personal Training
This is one of the many books I’ve reviewed that focusses on irrational behaviour and its causes. Two things in particular stand out about this one:
1. It focusses on the economic repercussions of irrational choices, both for the individual, companies and the entirely of society
2. It advocates, and outlines, ways to structure options to gently steer people towards choices that clearly give more net benefits, while ensuring that all other choices are still open to them – having organ donations opt-out instead of opt-in, for example.
Some may find this idea a little bit controlling for their taste, but as the authors point out, “choice architecture” already exists – private companies in particular can, and do, nudge us towards choices that may not be the best for us. The authors argue that their own ideas of choice architecture simply work to redress the balance. Check it out, and tell me if you agree with them in the comments.
Sway: The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior
Jan 24, 2010 Learning and Knowledge, Philosophy & Thinking, Self Help & Personal Training, Skeptical books
This fun book leans towards irrationality in economics and politics, presenting examples of poorly thought-out decisions and then using science to explain the psychological mechanisms behind them. Probably the most interesting section looks at en masse diagnosis of bipolar disorder, why it became such a common diagnosis, and the effects that such a diagnosis can have on a developing child.
It’s not a thick book, and if you’ve read several things in the same sort of area then you might feel a little cheated to find it repeats information you already know. On the other hand, if you want a light refresher or you’re just delving into this area, this is a good one to pick up.
Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion
Jan 13, 2010 Learning and Knowledge, Philosophy & Thinking, Self Help & Personal Training
This book is a massive eye-opener. It explains the fundamental mechanisms behind suggestion and influence as used in sales tactics and to establish authority. This is a far cry form those cheesy NLP-style influence technique books, and Cialdini makes no assertions that he cannot back up through scientific research and experimentation, unlike some of the cringeworthy trash out there. It’s not at all dry, though, and the author’s self-deprecating humour lightens the mood of the entire book.
Synopsis: “Influence”, the classic book on persuasion, explains the psychology of why people say “yes” – and how to apply these understandings. Dr. Robert Cialdini is the seminal expert in the rapidly expanding field of influence and persuasion. His thirty-five years of rigorous, evidence-based research along with a three-year program of study on what moves people to change behavior has resulted in this highly acclaimed book. You’ll learn the six universal principles, how to use them to become a skilled persuader – and how to defend yourself against them. Perfect for people in all walks of life, the principles of “Influence” will move you toward profound personal change and act as a driving force for your success.
Mind Hacks: Tips & Tricks for Using Your Brain
Nov 6, 2009 Learning and Knowledge, Philosophy & Thinking, Self Help & Personal Training
Unlike the Life Hacks website the mindhacks (www.mindhacks.com) website is very much about general brain news. However the book contains useful resources on everything from mnemonic techniques to myths about the brain. It’s well written and is like a lot of the “hacks” series of books, a dip-in-and-out style.
Despite this it is more of a guide to the workings of the mind, how we interface with our visual and audio systems and as a result there’s not so many actual hacks. If you’re looking for a book that will help you to actually “hack” your mind you might try this release: Mind Performance Hacks (link).
In an ideal world the two would have been combined as the latter much thinner and content light release lacks the chunky content of Mind Hacks. However they are both considerably reduced in price now and can be picked up together for less.
There is a good flow to the book, from the structure of the brain through to the differing functions, the information output and how we as humans perceive this. The final section on “Other People” is my favourite chapter and is a great ending to what can be quite a trek. It’s hard to remember everything that’s in there but the annotated summaries and guides really help.
Product Description: The brain is a fearsomely complex information-processing environment–one that often eludes our ability to understand it. At any given time, the brain is collecting, filtering, and analyzing information and, in response, performing countless intricate processes, some of which are automatic, some voluntary, some conscious, and some unconscious.Cognitive neuroscience is one of the ways we have to understand the workings of our minds.
Upgrade Your Life: The Lifehacker’s Guide to Working Smarter, Faster, Better
Nov 5, 2009 Learning and Knowledge, Science and Technology, Self Help & Personal Training
The Lifehacker site is a place that if you aren’t aware of, you should check it out today. There are a stack of tips that you can scan and use as you see fit, some of them obvious but effective, others clever and no so approachable.
This book is both a good summary to the site and a great standalone volume. It’s less of a sit down and read and more of a dip in and out manual. It’s also fairly technically based so it does revolve around your computer more than the main site does.
However there are stacks of useful tips and tricks that are both useful and informing especially when backed up with the main website. Try the site out, if you like it get the book.
The Conscious Mind: In Search of a Fundamental Theory
Nov 4, 2009 Learning and Knowledge, Philosophy & Thinking, Self Help & Personal Training
The Conscious Mind is part of the Philosophy in Mind series from the Oxford Press. It’s a great series and I would recommend any of the titles on the list. I can’t honestly say I’ve read more than 5 or 6 of the current list of 27, but each one is well written and informative.
My favorite to date is The Conscious Mind. It’s a fantastic look into the nature of consciousness and a great science book. It’s certainly for the well-schooled and is not something I’d recommend as a first read in the subject but at the same time it’s easy to digest and well structured.
How We Know What isn’t So: Fallibility of Human Reason in Everyday Life
Nov 4, 2009 Philosophy & Thinking, Self Help & Personal Training, Skeptical books
When can we trust what we believe – that “teams and players have winning streaks”, that “flattery works”, or that “the more people who agree, the more likely they are to be right” – and when are such beliefs suspect? Thomas Gilovich offers a guide to the fallacy of the obvious in everyday life.
Illustrating his points with examples, and supporting them with the latest research findings, he documents the cognitive, social and motivational processes that distort our thoughts, beliefs, judgements and decisions. In a rapidly changing world, the biases and stereotypes that help us process an overload of complex information inevitably distort what we would like to believe is reality. Awareness of our propensity to make these systematic errors, Gilovich argues, is the first step to more effective analysis and action.
The Skeptic’s Dictionary: A Collection of Strange Beliefs, Amusing Deceptions, and Dangerous Delusions
Nov 4, 2009 Learning and Knowledge, Philosophy & Thinking, Self Help & Personal Training, Skeptical books
The Skeptic’s Dictionary is a website and a book. Each features definitions, arguments, and essays on topics ranging from acupuncture to zombies, and provides a lively, commonsense trove of detailed information on things supernatural, paranormal, and pseudoscientific.
Dozens of topics in logic, perception, science, and philosophy are also covered to help explain the appeal and popularity of occult beliefs and to provide a guide for critical thinking.
