Often, we are relaxed and sipping some coffee or tea when something enlightens are minds or just when we are lying down in our comfortable cozy beds that our mind gets all the more wise and looks for reasons to impart wisdom and advices. Few amazing psychology books might be a great food for your mind. Because our mind which is full of maturity and wisdom has the power to change another person and his life. Every day we go through a variety of emotions, happiness, sadness, content, anger, satisfied and the feeling of being either a no body or being the grateful for all that one has. At times, to read a person and their thoughts, to explain and impart wisdom to help them becomes difficult so why not use the source and essence of few psychology books to change lives?
Here is a list of 7 great psychology books that will prove to be life hacks
1. Social : Why our brains are wired to connect
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This is one of my favourites. Matthew D. Lieberman has thrown light on how and why are we influence by the behavior of the strangers? The discoveries he and his fellow researchers have made. Lieberman conveys the concept of ‘social cognitive neuroscience’ fascinating the interface between brain science and human behavior. The book speaks about how we are constantly reading minds of other people so that we can make a place in their circle or fit in. Lieberman shows how our mind acts differently around people and how our brain gets influenced by the act of others.
Who’s it for: The ones who are quite social and want an insight into socializing.
2. Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life
Martin E.P known as the father of the new science of positive psychology writes about his clinical research of demonstrating how optimism helps enhance the quality of life. He also speaks about how anyone can practice optimism and how optimism adds to a much more beautiful life. We come across people with their pessimist dialogue of giving up on whatever they think won’t fall into place. My favourite part of this book is Dr. Seligman’s simple techniques of showing how to break the ‘I give up’ notion that people follow. Give it a read and have an experience of the benefits of a positive approach.
Who’s it for: The ones who are or desire seeing the world through the rose tinted glass.
3. Thinking, Fast and Slow
Kahneman takes us on a mind boggling tour and explains the two systems or ways that our brain thinks and makes choices where one is the primal section and the other is the rational section. The book portrays how the two systems or parts work together in our decision making. The books keeps the reader engaged in a lively conversation about how we think, what reveals where we can and cannot trust our intuitions and how we can tap into the benefits of slow thinking.
Who’s it for: The indecisive person inside you, the one who is confused in either making or breaking decisions and thoughts.
4. Flow: The Psychology of Happiness: The Classic Work on How to Achieve Happiness
The Classic Work on How to Achieve Happiness by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. This book really gave me happiness. It brings in you the reason to be alive. Csikszentmihalyi throws light and argues that happiness is achieved through a mental state known as Flow, where the high skill level of the individual is met with challenging work for instance, an artist working strokes with his brushes or a mathematician solving a difficult problem. It shows the mindset of the people dealing with such situations and what happens to the brain during this state comes across as paradoxical. The book reveales that what makes experience genuinely satisfying is ‘flow’ – a state of concentration so focused that it amounts to complete absorption in an activity and results in the achievement of a perfect state of happiness.
Who’s it for: for the people who are work driven and find a sense of flow while working. Go for the happiness workaholic!
5. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion
The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini PhD. This book tops the chart when it comes to the topic of persuasion. Cialdini in his book in each chapter has given a section to the resistance towards persuasion. You will come across six principles of being a skilled persuader and how to defend yourself. The principle of persuasion will give you a driving force for your success.
Who’s it for: The ones who want a hold of their command and have a persuasive side to themselves. The ones who have great ideas and want a yearn them to be acknowledged.
6. Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realise your Potential for Lasting Fulfilment
This book is an insight into the world of happiness. The famous psychologist Martin Seligman proves happiness to be an internal feeling, internal thing rather than it being external. He lists out different strengths, attributes to human psyche and tells how we can reach the path of optimism and happiness.
Who’s it for: people who seek self-introspection and want to develop themselves within.
7. Mindfulness: A practical guide to finding peace in a frantic world
A practical guide to finding peace in a frantic world by Mark Williams Danny Penman. The book is based on Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). MBCT revolves around a straightforward form of mindfulness meditation which takes just a few minutes a day for the full benefits to be revealed. In today’s world it becomes easy to get trapped in the lightening pace of everything. We often get so busy with the worldly pleasures that we forget the little moments of happiness. The authors described how to exist in state of peace in this moving world.
Who’s it for: For people who are trapped in this fast pace world and is triggered by anxieties.
