The World's Best Book Summaries
Are humans rational? Are we less rational than we think we are? In Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me), Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson say that we’re naturally inclined to believe that we’re rational actors moving through an ordered existence. However, our rationality can’t justify the bad things we do. Find out why we use rationality to excuse bad decisions, and whether humans are as rational as we think we are.
What are alpha brain waves? How can you put your brain into an alpha frequency on demand? Alpha brain waves are low-range brainwaves associated with a state of calm and relaxation. In his book Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself, Joe Dispenza recommends an alpha brain waves meditation practice to induce a state of alert calm. Keep reading to learn how to put your brain into the alpha frequency.
What is self-justification? Why do we try to justify our wrong actions? Self-justification is when we try to justify our beliefs or bad things we’ve done. Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson explain this process in their book Mistakes Were Made (But Not By Me) and how we do it to convince ourselves we’ve done the right thing. Keep reading to learn what self-justification is, with an example.
What’s the difference between teasing vs. bullying? What are some examples to explain the difference? In comic artist Raina Telgemeier’s autobiographical novel Smile, she depicts the struggles of adolescence, including preoccupation with appearance and low self-esteem. Her novel shows how teasing can become bullying when Raina endures a difficult time in middle school. Read on to learn more about teasing vs. bullying, based on the examples from Telgemeier’s Smile.
Does your behavior in social situations reflect your true personality? Or do you hide behind a mask? Everybody wears a mask to some extent. However, if the gap between who you are and who you present to the world is too great, you’ll eventually feel out of touch with yourself, which can lead to a psychological crisis. Keep reading to learn about the psychological consequences of inauthentic behavior.
Which version of reality are you feeding with your energy? What if you just chose to be positive? Multiple realities exist, and you materialize the one you feed with your energy—positive or negative. That’s the view of Vadim Zeland, who argues that you can choose to consistently interpret experiences in a positive way and, thus, move toward your ideal reality. Keep reading for Zeland’s advice on manifesting positive energy, along with six tips from The Happiness Equation.
How does your brain detect patterns? What’s the science behind the 5 Second Rule? In The 5 Second Rule, Mel Robbins discusses the science behind her 5 Second Rule. She answers why it has such a powerful effect on the brain, and it all has to do with how the brain recognizes patterns. Continue reading to learn how brain patterns affect your ability to fight procrastination, hesitation, and harmful impulses.
What are feedback loops in psychology? How do thinking-feeling loops keep you trapped in a bad mood? According to Joe Dispenza, the author of Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself, your thoughts and feelings together create a loop that shapes your reality—what he refers to as a “state of being.” Positive thoughts feed into further positive thoughts and feelings, and negative thoughts perpetuate further negativity. Here’s how feedback loops shape your reality.
What is the psychology behind prejudice? Why do people stereotype others? Being discriminatory toward others is a horrible thing, but some people try to excuse it. In Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me), Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson explain why some people’s brains stereotype others. Read more to learn the psychology of prejudice and why some people discriminate against others.
What’s your ideal reality? Does it match your current emotional energy? Vadim Zeland contends that you’re continually transmitting emotional energy at a frequency that sustains your version of reality. If you want to control which version of reality you live in, you must learn how to redirect your energy. Continue reading to learn three methods for doing exactly that.