The World's Best Book Summaries
What is the function of the amygdala? What behavior does the amygdala govern? The amygdala is a little almond-shaped structure located in the brain’s medial temporal lobe. Its main function is to respond to threats, whether real or perceived. The amygdala activates very fast, often overriding logic and rationality. Here’s a look at the amygdala’s function and the psychology behind its workings.
What is Robert Sapolsky’s Behave about? What is the key message to take away from the book? Understanding people is crucial to disciplines and careers ranging from psychology to sales. While there are countless books about how to relate to people—and sometimes how to manipulate them—few try to get to the core of human behavior in the same way that Sapolsky’s Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst does. Below is a brief overview of the key themes.
What are the main causes of stress? What is the difference between acute and chronic stress? According to Dr. Gabor Maté, stress is the body’s response to a threat. There are two kinds of stress: acute and chronic stress, which have different triggers and effects on the body. Keep reading to learn about the causes of stress.
Do you know what your boss is thinking and feeling? Do your teammates really trust each other? Never underestimate the impact other people have on your life in general and your career in particular. You must have social know-how to get ahead in your field. This requires seeing people as they truly are, which can be difficult when people try to hide their true selves. You need to learn how to read a person—a skill that’s helpful in professional and personal life. Here’s why reading people is important and how to do it better.
What is the connection between evolution and behavior? What are some examples of human behaviors that have survival value? Our brains work the way they do because of evolution: Ancestors who behaved in certain ways were more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on the genes that caused them to behave in those ways. So now, many generations later, those genes still survive in us and influence our behavior. Let’s examine the key categories of human behavior that are the product of evolution.
What is the kin selection theory? Why do we feel compelled to protect our family members at all costs? Kin selection is a term in evolutionary biology that means potentially sacrificing your own welfare or reproductive success in favor of your relatives’. For example, risking your life by fighting off a home intruder to protect your family. It evolved because, by definition, your relatives share many of your genes, so keeping them alive helps pass those genes on. Keep reading to learn about the psychology behind kin selection.
What are the main causes of chronic stress? How can childhood stress lead to diseases later in life? Does personality play a role in development of physical disease? In his book When the Body Says No, Dr. Gabor Maté says that there is a link between chronic stress and physical illness. According to Maté, chronic stress often stems from childhood, meaning that one’s parental nurturing, childhood development, and even personality may contribute to development of certain illnesses later in life. Learn about the ultimate cause of chronic stress, according to Dr. Gabor Maté.
Are humans inherently good or evil? Does our environment shape who we are? In The Lucifer Effect, psychologist Philip Zimbardo argues that humans aren’t born good or bad. Instead, he theorizes that certain circumstances can cause any good person to become evil. Learn more about why Zimbardo believes humans aren’t inherently good or evil.
Are you an overly careful trader? Why is it important to embrace risk in trading? To achieve consistent profits in trading, it’s essential to embrace risk. According to Mark Douglas, the author of Trading in the Zone, you must be comfortable with risk to ward off irrational fears that corrode your trading mindset and your potential to profit. Let’s look at the factors that cause us to avoid risk and develop an unhealthy relationship with the market.
How can childhood trauma affect a person later in life? What mental health problems can arise? For children who suffer abuse, trauma’s impact on the developing brain tends to create long-term issues. In their book What Happened to You?, Bruce D. Perry and Oprah Winfrey mention three broad ways that childhood trauma can impact people in the long-term: 1) mental and physical health issues, 2) flashbacks and triggers, and 3) unrecognized behavioral patterns. Keep reading to learn more about the long-lasting effects of childhood trauma.