The World's Best Book Summaries
Can you increase your intelligence? Or is IQ fixed at birth? Is human IQ genetically predetermined or can it be improved? Contrary to what many people think, your IQ isn’t predetermined. In fact, Americans’ average IQ has risen over time, likely because of changes in nutrition, schools, and culture. Learn about the factors that affect your IQ and some strategies for improving your intelligence.
What are the most common causes of depression and anxiety? Why isn’t biology the main cause of depression? The main causes of depression and anxiety are acute loneliness, childhood trauma, loss of purpose in life, and a severe disconnection with nature. There are biological factors that can make an individual vulnerable to depression, but these factors are usually latent. It is social, psychological, and environmental factors that can trigger a genetic tendency to have depression and anxiety. Read on to learn more about the major causes of depression and anxiety.
Why should parents keep their kids from developing an attachment to immediate gratification? What problems arise when a child doesn’t learn to defer gratification? M. Scott Peck, in his book The Road Less Traveled, argues that the first and most valuable tool you can develop to support spiritual growth is discipline. There are four key components to discipline. One of them is the ability to defer gratification. He explains two problems that can occur when a child fails to learn this skill. Keep reading to learn about the problems that can arise when we don’t defer gratification.
Is it a good idea to trust your gut feeling? Is making decisions based on a “feeling” irrational? Can your gut feeling lead you wrong? Both Brené Brown and Malcolm Gladwell seem to think that trusting your gut feeling is a powerful process and allows us to make quick and intuitive decisions. However, Gladwell does point out some flaws with this type of snap decision-making. Keep reading to learn what Brené Brown and Malcolm Gladwell have to say about trusting your gut feeling
What are the two types of mindset? What’s the role of mindset in behavior change? There are two primary types of mindset: a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. If you have a fixed mindset, you believe that you’re wired a certain way and can’t change. If you have a growth mindset, you believe you can grow if you put in the effort. You’re far more likely to change when you believe that you can. Here’s how having a growth mindset can help you make behavior change a reality.
What is the rule of 100? How can you make a discount seem like a better deal to customers? The rule of 100 states that if a product’s original price is under $100, a percentage-based discount—for instance, 30% off—will appear more attractive to customers. Likewise, if a product’s original price is above $100, a numerical discount—for example, $50 off—will impress customers more. If you apply this rule when creating your discount, you can maximize its attractiveness and increase the likelihood that it’ll be shared. Find out how you can use the rule of 100 to improve your discounts.
What is spaced practice? How does spaced practice compare to cramming (learning a large amount of information in a very short period of time)? Which technique is more effective and why? Spaced practice is a study technique that involves multiple short study sessions spaced out over time. Spaced practice develops your “underlying habit strength,” which prepares you to use that knowledge when you need it. It may feel less productive than cramming initially because you’ve forgotten some of the material and it feels like you don’t have a grasp of it—but that extra effort is precisely what makes the method
Why do so many people today fall into the entitlement trap? And Why is entitlement such a big problem? The entitlement trap takes two forms: you feel like you’re entitled to be happy all the time, or you think you’re special or different in some way. The truth is: it’s impossible to feel good all the time, and most of your problems are not unique or exceptional. Keep reading to learn why you are not special, and that’s okay.
What is the book Listening to Prozac about? Who is the scientist that challenged the claims made in the book? Listening to Prozac is a landmark book written in support of antidepressants drugs by Dr. Peter Kramer. The book is based on three main arguments rooted in questionable science. Dr. Irving Kirsch used new evidence-based research to refute these arguments in his journal—” The Emperor’s New Drugs: Exploding the Antidepressant Myth.” Read on for Dr. Irving Kirsch’s arguments as to why Listening to Prozac is flawed.
What productivity killers are getting in your way? How much more could you get done if you got over these hurdles? You’re probably committed to productivity. But, if you’re like most people, stuff gets in your way. In order to fight off these productivity killers, it helps to identify and understand them. Whether it’s your fears, your habits, or your environment, you can confront these killers and ultimately get more done. Keep reading to learn how to banish productivity killers.