Darya Sinusoid, Author at Shortform Books

The Problem With the Localization of Brain Function Theory

What is the localization of brain function theory? What is the problem with the localizationism paradigm? As the name suggests, localization of brain function means that different functions or capabilities of the brain are “located” in certain brain regions. The idea of localization of function is attractive because it’s simple and elegant, but it’s not quite how the brain works. Keep reading to learn about the problem with the localizationism paradigm.

How to Empty Your Mind & Quiet Your Inner Dialogue

Are your thoughts always racing out of control? Do you find it difficult to empty your mind so you can relax and be at peace? Many people struggle with incessant mental chatter, which drives anxiety and wastes a lot of cognitive energy. As a result, they can never find peace because their minds are always thinking—ruminating about the past or time-traveling into the future. Here are a few strategies for emptying your mind of unnecessary mental noise so you can focus and think straight.

Just Listen: Book Overview (Mark Goulston)

What is Mark Goulston’s book Just Listen about? What’s the key message to take away from the book? In his book Just Listen, Mark Goulston explains that if you want to change someone’s mind or behavior, listening is the most important step. When you listen effectively, the person you’re trying to connect with feels heard, understood, and valuable, and it motivates them to open up to you in return. Below is a brief overview of Mark Goulston’s book Just Listen: Discover the Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone.

Chatter by Ethan Kross: Book Overview

What is Ethan Kross’s Chatter about? What is the key message to take away from the book? In his book Chatter, neuroscientist and experimental psychologist Ethan Kross explores the private conversations we have with ourselves and how they impact our well-being and life outcomes. Further, he lays out practical strategies to help you silence your inner critic and rewire your mind for more positivity. Keep reading for a brief overview of Ethan Kross’s book The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It.

Traits of Anti-Seducers: Don’t Be a Turn-Off

What does Robert Greene mean by anti-seduction? What qualities does Greene describe as anti-seductive? As the name suggests, anti-seduction is the opposite of seduction—it’s behavior that people find repellent or off-putting. In other words, anti-seduction is being what people call a “turn-off.” Keep reading to learn about the major qualities of anti-seducers, according to Robert Greene.

Challenging Negative Self-Talk: Strategies and Tips

Is your mind overwhelmed by negativity? How can you stop negative self-talk and train yourself to think more positively? According to neuroscientist and psychologist Ethan Kross, we can’t stop negative self-talk completely, but we can quiet it and therefore reduce its power over us. In his book Chatter, he shares five research-based strategies for challenging negative self-talk. Here’s how we can prevent our negative self-talk from interfering with our success, happiness, and health.

Overwhelmed at Work? Do These 3 Things

Are you overwhelmed at work? Do you find it difficult to keep up with everything on your to-do list? Do you often find yourself working to the point of burnout? While working hard is essential, it’s also important to find the proper balance between work and rest. In other words, you should work hard—but not to the point of exhaustion. With this in mind, here are some strategies to help you adjust your workload without compromising performance.

Stuck in the Past? Here’s How to Turn the Page

Do you often find yourself lost in thought, falling down the rabbit hole of past memories? Are you stuck in the past? The more you’re stuck in the past, the more you carry pain from your past moments into your present. Too much focus on the past creates guilt, regret, resentment, sadness, bitterness, and unforgiveness. Here’s how to free yourself from the burden of the past so you can turn the page and move forward with your life.

Mark Goulston: Listen to Understand, Not to Respond

What does it mean to “listen to understand”? How do you suppress the tendency to come up with a reply, and instead, channel your energy to really understand what someone is saying? As a popular adage goes, we should listen to understand, not to respond. However, most of us do the opposite: Instead of attempting to really understand the deeper meaning behind words, we try to come up with a response. With this in mind, here’s how to listen to understand, according to psychiatrist Mark Goulston.

The Art of Seduction: The 18 Types of Victims

What are the 18 types of victims in The Art of Seduction by Robert Greene? What seductive strategies work on each type? In The Art of Seduction, Robert Greene defines 18 different types of victims based on his “victim theory.” The foundation of this theory, according to Greene, is to understand that everyone is lacking something and figure out how to give it to them. We’ve condensed Greene’s 18 different victim types by categorizing them according to the weaknesses, deficiencies, or qualities that can be manipulated.