10 books on the tricks and tricks of our brain

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

If you can't get rid of bad habits or remember why you went to the next room, it's not you. And the fact that the brain sometimes lets you down and makes you do stupid things. Lifehacker has selected 10 fascinating books about the pitfalls of our thinking.

1. "Thinking Traps" by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

Brothers Chip and Dan Heath analyzed dozens of psychological studies and found out that no matter what decisions you make, the process always goes the same way. True, on the way you will be trapped by the traps created by our imperfect brain. From the book, you will learn how to recognize them in time and make a choice that you will not be ashamed of even after 10 years.

2. "The Brain: Fine Tuning" by Peter Wybrow

We are ready to blame anyone for our troubles: society, government, inappropriate conditions, even the weather. But they are not at all ready to take responsibility for themselves.

Peter Wybrow is convinced that it is in human behavior that the causes of all problems in economics, politics and business lie. He offers an entertaining theory about how our irrationality and inability to manage ourselves lead to global cataclysms.

3. "Idiot Priceless Brain" by Dean Burnett

Dean Burnett is a neuroscience doctor known for his sense of humor: he performs in the stand-up genre and maintains a funny blog called Chatter About the Brain. Even Burnett's book on complex neuroscience research is light, funny, and full of useful information.

Idiotic Priceless Brain is a book about our paradoxical brain, which inclines us to stupidity and at the same time helps us to become better. A fascinating summary of the latest advances in neuroscience awaits you.

4. The Backfilling Question by John Farndon

When entering Oxford and Cambridge, future students are asked tricky questions: "Do you consider yourself smart?", "Why do people need two eyes?", "How are Henry VIII and Stalin alike?"

No, the questions are not needed to overwhelm applicants at the interview stage. But they are great for making your brains wiggle. Science popularizer John Farndon offers his answers to Oxbridge's questions. And you, as you read, will be able to reflect on unusual problems and suggest your versions. Great brain workout!

5. "The Illusion of Self, or the Games Our Brain Plays With Us", Bruce Hood

How the brain works, where thoughts come from, why the brain forces us to do what we don't want, and why we keep forgetting something important - an expert in neuropsychology answers interesting questions related to the activity of our brain.

6. "Brain with Obstacles" by Theo Tsausidis

Self-doubt, procrastination, impatience, multitasking, inflexibility, perfectionism, negative attitudes are all obstacles that your brain uses to block your path to success. Theo Tsausidis, an entrepreneur with a PhD in neuropsychology, explains how to recognize them in time and suggests effective coping strategies.

7. Never Mind, Chris Paley

Words, colors, gestures - all these affect your thoughts, and you don't even notice. Chris Paley talks about the role of the subconscious with interesting examples from life.

In this book, you will learn how a red outfit will help a person to like you, why a politician should be handsome, and why in a supermarket you should start walking around from the far end of the hall. And a little spoiler: if you like to complain that you will die alone, chances are you will.

8. “Why We Are Wrong,” Joseph Hallinan

We all make mistakes. Sometimes they lead to insignificant consequences, sometimes - to catastrophic ones. Joseph Hallinan tried to figure out why the judges in the National Hockey League, NASA experts, pilots, doctors and motorists are wrong. In this book, you will find the conclusions of his unusual research, and after reading you will become more attentive to the little things.

9. Brain Boosters by Richard Nisbett

You can easily solve complex math problems and have a high IQ, but get lost in ordinary life situations. Internationally renowned psychologist Richard Nisbett explains why it is dangerous to rely entirely on your common sense. Using examples from economics, probability theory, statistics, logic and psychology, he tells how human thinking works, as well as in what situations it fails us.

10. "Geniuses and Outsiders" by Malcolm Gladwell

Why is it all for some and nothing for others? Life is not fair, but this is a poor explanation of why some succeed and others weave at the end. Gladwell explains which unknowns are missing from your equation.

Canadian pop sociologist explains what Bill Gates, The Beatles and Mozart have in common. Success, like a mosaic, is made up of many pieces. Perhaps you have not yet reached unprecedented heights just because you are missing a couple.