The World's Best Book Summaries
What is rational thinking? How do your beliefs and emotions fit into the process? You probably would quickly agree that you and everyone else should think and act rationally. But, you might not have thought much about what that actually means. Steven Pinker takes on this basic yet somewhat elusive matter and provides a simple definition that brings clarity to the discussion. Read more to learn Pinker’s definition of rational thinking.
Does your mind seem to wander constantly? Do you often feel distracted, tired, or bored—or do you know someone who does? Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurological condition that’s estimated to occur in 5% to 10% of the world’s population. Psychiatrists Edward Hallowell and John Ratey describe three common signs of ADHD that might prompt you to seek a professional diagnosis. Read more to learn about these signs and understand how to put them into context.
Why do people recommend Amy Cuddy’s power pose as a confidence booster? How does posing like a superhero make you feel like one? Amy Cuddy is known for her “power pose” strategy, which is a physical stance that increases the feeling of presence. Her book Presence talks about how the feeling of being “powerful” calms the mind and increases self-assurance. Check out more on Cuddy’s power pose research and the ongoing debate over the effectiveness of the pose.
What is Martin Seligman’s positive psychology theory? How does positive psychology enhance well-being? In his book Flourish, Martin Seligman provides ways to use positive psychology to increase personal and global well-being. Positive psychology focuses on relieving people of miseries, traumas, and other difficulties. Discover more about the concept of positive psychology, and how to apply it in your life.
Are you having trouble managing ADHD symptoms? What are some strategies to help you live with ADHD? Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a brain condition that affects how you focus and control impulsive behavior. While ADHD can’t be cured, there are ways to help alleviate the symptoms so you can live an efficient and organized life. Keep reading to learn how to live with ADHD.
What are the bad effects of diets? Are diets more damaging than they are helpful? Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch suggests that dieting does more harm than good. The pressure of dieting damages your relationship with food and can turn eating into a struggle. Keep reading to learn about just four of the bad effects of diets that restrict your eating habits.
What if you could identify incorrect assumptions you have? Would you like to learn how to do this for yourself and others and experience breakthroughs as a result? The key to evoking high-quality thinking in others is to listen to them well. Nancy Kline provides a step-by-step process for conducting a productive conversation, or a thinking session, which maximizes the quality of both listening and thinking. Part of this process is to identify assumptions that cause limited thinking. Read more to learn how to overcome limited thinking by pinpointing faulty assumptions that stand in the way.
Do you live with ADHD or know someone who does? Are you looking for ways to maximize the pros and minimize the cons of ADHD? ADHD 2.0, a book by Edward Hallowell and John Ratey, explores recent developments in the field of psychiatry to help people understand this condition and learn to manage their symptoms. It also shows them how to turn ADHD’s unique traits to their advantage. Continue reading for our comprehensive ADHD 2.0 book overview.
What’s the difference between empathy and sympathy? How can we use empathy as a weapon to combat shame in ourselves and others? Researcher and author Brené Brown studies and writes quite a bit about empathy. We’ve collected excerpts from several of her books to give you a quick but comprehensive look at what she says about the meaning and nature of empathy, the connection between empathy and shame, and empathy as a practice and skill. Continue reading for 17 Brené Brown empathy quotes that will give you a glimpse into her insights.
Do you want healthier relationships? What’s the connection between positive relationships and well-being? Humans are naturally social creatures, and connecting with others makes our lives better. You can improve your well-being by learning to build stronger, more positive relationships in your life. Check out how positive relationships affect your well-being.