The World's Best Book Summaries
What is a stress-related illness? Can stress really make a person physically sick? Although science treats the mind and the body as separate entities, there’s a strong connection between stress and illness. Dr. Gabor Maté discusses this connection in his book When the Body Says No, explaining the links between peoples’ life histories, psychological profiles, and specific diseases. Here’s a look at some of the stress-related illnesses.
What is The Lucifer Effect about? What are the main takeaways from Philip Zimbardo’s book? The Lucifer Effect was written by Philip Zimbardo, the psychologist famous for running the notorious 1971 Stanford Prison Experiment. In it, Zimbardo argues that most of us drastically misunderstand evil’s potential. Here’s a brief overview of Philip Zimbardo’s book The Lucifer Effect.
What is reciprocal altruism? Why do people feel compelled to reciprocate virtuous behavior? Humans are innately reciprocal creatures because reciprocity has survival value. Even hunter-gatherer humans helped each other to contribute to the survival of the group. According to Robert Sapolsky, the author of Behave, altruism is encoded in our genes. Keep reading to learn about reciprocal altruism and how this behavior evolved.
Do you want to know how to become a successful trader? What do all profitable traders have in common? Trading is extremely hard, which is why only a few traders become profitable. According to Mark Douglas, the author of Trading in the Zone, you need three ingredients to become a successful trader: 1) a clear goal, focused exclusively on winning consistently, 2) a system of rules and boundaries for making trades, and 3) disciplined follow-through. Let’s explore each ingredient in detail.
What are the major short-term effects of childhood trauma? How can trauma affect other areas of a child’s life? According to Oprah Winfrey and psychiatrist Bruce D. Perry in their book What Happened to You?, two of the most common short-term effects of childhood trauma are 1) an inability to love and be loved, and 2) an overactive stress response, which can lead to increased anxiety and difficulty concentrating. We’ll explore both in detail below.
Do you want to know how to become a good person? How can you avoid being evil? In The Lucifer Effect, psychologist Philip Zimbardo says that certain circumstances and institutions contribute to human evil. He argues that anybody could commit the worst evil imaginable if they found themselves in the wrong situation. Learn how to become a good person with Zimbardo’s helpful tips.
What is the Pareto rule? How does applying the 80/20 rule help you increase your productivity and happiness? The Pareto 80/20 rule states that 80% of your outcomes result from just 20% of the effort you put in. According to Richard Koch, this principle is at work in every aspect of your life, including your career and relationships. Let’s examine what the Pareto 80/20 rule is and why it matters.
What’s the connection between environment and behavior? Can environment override genetic influences? There’s no doubt that genes determine much of your personality and behavior. However, external influences—including how we’re raised, where we are at a given moment, and what’s happening around us—are even more important in determining how we act. Keep reading to learn how environment shapes human behavior, according to Sapolsky.
Do you struggle to stick to your trading rules because emotions get in the way? Are you haphazardly buying and selling without a trading plan in place? Trading your hard-earned money is an emotional rollercoaster. Therefore, it’s important to exercise self-discipline and keep your emotions at bay. According to author and trading consultant Mark Douglas, this requires that you simultaneously do two things: redirect negative thoughts and emotions, and execute the system you’ve established. Here’s how to develop discipline in trading, according to Douglas.
What is emotional trauma? How does trauma differ from distress? According to Oprah Winfrey and renowned psychiatrist Bruce D. Perry in their book What Happened to You?, there’s a difference between trauma and distress. The authors explain that trauma is made up of two factors: the stress response and the lasting impact. Continue reading for a discussion on emotional trauma and how it affects the brain.