Psychology
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Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion – Robert B. Cialdini
1. Full Citation Cialdini, R.B. (1984) Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion. New York: Harper Business. 2. Introduction Influence explores the psychology behind why people say “yes” and how compliance techniques can be used ethically or manipulatively. Robert Cialdini identifies six key principles of persuasion that govern human behavior in social…
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The Interpretation of Dreams – Sigmund Freud
1. Full Citation Freud, S. (1900) The Interpretation of Dreams [Die Traumdeutung]. Vienna: Franz Deuticke. 2. Introduction The Interpretation of Dreams is a foundational text in psychoanalysis, where Sigmund Freud introduces his theory that dreams are expressions of unconscious desires and conflicts. The book outlines methods for decoding dreams to…
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Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ – Daniel Goleman
1. Full Citation Goleman, D. (1995) Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ. New York: Bantam Books. 2. Introduction Emotional Intelligence explores the concept of emotional intelligence (EI) — the ability to recognise, understand, and manage emotions — and argues its critical role in personal and professional success,…
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Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions – Dan Ariely
1. Full Citation Ariely, D. (2008) Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions. New York: HarperCollins. 2. Introduction Predictably Irrational explores the systematic and predictable ways in which humans deviate from rational decision-making. Dan Ariely reveals cognitive biases and emotional influences that shape choices in everyday life. 3.…
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The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference – Malcolm Gladwell
1. Full Citation Gladwell, M. (2000) The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference. New York: Little, Brown. 2. Introduction The Tipping Point investigates how small, seemingly insignificant factors can trigger large-scale social changes and trends. Malcolm Gladwell explores concepts such as the Law of the Few,…
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Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me) – Carol Tavris & Elliot Aronson
Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me): Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions, and Hurtful Acts – Carol Tavris & Elliot Aronson 1. Full Citation Tavris, C., & Aronson, E. (2007) Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me): Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions, and Hurtful Acts. New…
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The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom – Jonathan Haidt
1. Full Citation Haidt, J. (2006) The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom. New York: Basic Books. 2. Introduction The Happiness Hypothesis explores enduring ideas about happiness and meaning from ancient philosophy and psychology, synthesizing them with contemporary scientific research. Jonathan Haidt investigates how ancient wisdom can inform…
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HBlink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking – Malcolm Gladwell
📚 Academic Book Review 1. Full Citation Gladwell, M. (2005) Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking. New York: Little, Brown. 2. Introduction Blink explores the power and pitfalls of rapid cognition — the ability of the brain to make quick judgments and decisions without conscious deliberation. Malcolm Gladwell examines…
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Outliers: The Story of Success – Malcolm Gladwell
1. Full Citation Gladwell, M. (2008) Outliers: The Story of Success. New York: Little, Brown. 2. Introduction Outliers examines the factors that contribute to high levels of success, challenging the notion of individual merit alone. Malcolm Gladwell explores cultural background, timing, opportunity, and practice as key influences on achievement. 3.…
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The Body Keeps the Score – Bessel van der Kolk
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma – Bessel van der Kolk 1. Full Citation Van der Kolk, B.A. (2014) The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. New York: Viking. 2. Introduction The Body Keeps the…
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Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance – Angela Duckworth
1. Full Citation Duckworth, A. (2016) Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. New York: Scribner. 2. Introduction Grit explores the role of sustained passion and perseverance in achieving long-term goals. Angela Duckworth argues that grit, more than talent or intelligence, is a critical predictor of success across domains. 3.…
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How to Change Your Mind – Michael Pollan
How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence – Michael Pollan 1. Full Citation Pollan, M. (2018) How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence. New…
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The Social Animal: The Hidden Sources of Love, Character, and Achievement – Elliot Aronson
1. Full Citation Aronson, E. (2011) The Social Animal: The Hidden Sources of Love, Character, and Achievement (10th ed.). New York: Worth Publishers. 2. Introduction The Social Animal provides an in-depth exploration of social psychology, examining how human behavior is shaped by interpersonal relationships, social influences, and unconscious processes. Elliot…
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Thinking, Fast and Slow – Daniel Kahneman
1. Full Citation Kahneman, D. (2011) Thinking, Fast and Slow. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. 2. Introduction Thinking, Fast and Slow is a landmark work in psychology and behavioural economics by Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman. The book explores the dual-process model of cognition, describing two modes of thinking: System…
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The Psychology of Money – Morgan Housel
The Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness – Morgan Housel 1. Full Citation Housel, M. (2020) The Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness. New York: Harriman House. 2. Introduction The Psychology of Money explores the often-overlooked emotional and behavioural aspects of personal…
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Atomic Habits – James Clear
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones – James Clear 1. Full Citation Clear, J. (2018) Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones. New York: Avery. 2. Introduction James Clear’s Atomic Habits (2018) is…
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Man’s Search for Meaning
Man’s Search for Meaning – Viktor E. Frankl 1. Full Citation Frankl, V.E. (1946) Man’s Search for Meaning. Boston: Beacon Press. [English edition: 1959] 2. Introduction Viktor E. Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning is one of the most profound and influential psychological texts of the 20th century. Written shortly after…
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Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking – Susan Cain 1. Full Citation Cain, S. (2012) Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking. New York: Crown Publishing Group. 2. Introduction Susan Cain’s Quiet challenges dominant social narratives that elevate extroversion…