Shortform Books

Rolf Dobelli: The Art of Thinking Clearly—Overview

What is Rolf Dobelli’s The Art of Thinking Clearly about? What logical fallacies does Dobelli explore in the book? The Art of Thinking Clearly by Rolf Dobelli is an introduction to the most common logical biases and thinking errors. Logical fallacies affect everyone and are extremely difficult to avoid. Rolf Dobelli encourages readers to improve their decisions by learning how to recognize the fallacies and how to work around them. Below is a brief overview of the key themes.

Crash Course: What Is Transactional Analysis?

What is Transactional Analysis? Why do humans crave recognition? What are the three ego states? Transactional Analysis is a psychoanalytic theory and a method of analyzing social interactions. At its heart is the concept of the three ego states: the adult, the child, and the parent. Keep reading to learn about the Transactional Analysis theory and how to use it to analyze interactions.

The 3 (Often Overlooked) Benefits of Small Talk

Do you find small talk awkward and uncomfortable? What are the benefits of small talk? What makes small talk different from friendly conversations? In his book Games People Play, Dr. Eric Berne analyzes human social interactions in order to better understand why people act the way they do. One subject he went into detail on was that of small talk. Keep reading to learn about the benefits of small talk.

Morgan Housel: Why Money Is Happiness

Why do they say “money can’t buy you happiness”? Did you know that statement is fundamentally wrong? In his book The Psychology of Money, Morgan Housel explains that money buys you control over time, which is the key driver of happiness. When you have control over how you spend your time, you can spend it on things that bring your happiness. Here’s why money is happiness if used responsibly.

Liking Bias: Why You Buy Things You Don’t Need

What is liking bias? Have you ever used the likeability factor to sway someone towards a decision? Liking bias is the tendency to grant requests from people you know and like. This bias is often used in sales to influence purchasing decisions. Keep reading to learn about the psychology behind liking bias and how it is used in marketing.

Ambiguity Aversion Bias: Better the Devil You Know

What is ambiguity aversion bias? Why do people go to such great lengths to avoid ambiguity? Ambiguity aversion bias is the root of the adage “better the devil you know.” Even if the situation is bad, you’d rather stay than face the uncertainty of leaving. Here’s why we go to such great lengths to avoid uncertainty.

Authority Fallacy: Why We Do What the Higher-Ups Say

What is the authority fallacy? Why do we do what the higher-ups say? The authority fallacy is a logical bias related to social proof. It is the natural inclination to listen to an authority figure, even if they’re trying to make you do something you normally wouldn’t. Keep reading to learn about authority bias, why it happens, and how to overcome it.

How to Use Pathos in a Persuasive Argument

What is pathos? How can you use pathos to strengthen a persuasive argument? In a persuasive argument, pathos is when you appeal to your audience’s emotions to make them feel a certain way about your cause. The best way to do this is to tell a vivid story. Here’s how to use pathos to persuade an audience.

Eric Berne’s Transactional Analysis Theory: Explained

What is Eric Berne’s transactional analysis theory? What was Berne’s goal in developing his theory? In his book Games People Play, Eric Berne explains his approach to understanding social interaction: Transactional Analysis. Berne’s goal wasn’t just to analyze human interactions, but to discover destructive patterns so people can realize what games they’re playing (intentional or not) and improve their relationships with others. Let’s take a look at the key tenets of Berne’s theory.

Too Many Options: Paralysis of Choice

Three Keys to Making Better Decisions in Life

Have you ever struggled to make a decision because there were too many options to choose from? How does having too many options impair decision-making? Most people think that having more options to choose from is better than having fewer. However, having too many options can be just as bad as not having enough of them. Here’s how having too many options causes paralysis of choice and impairs decision-making.