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Best Psychology Books

Enhance your understanding of the human mind with this collection of seminal psychology books, ranked by their prominence in respected articles.

Recommendations from 64 articles, Jimmy Fallon, Bill Gates, Emma Watson and 224 others.
Best Psychology Books
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Thinking, Fast and Slow book cover
Thinking, Fast and Slow
Daniel Kahneman - 2011-10-25
Goodreads Rating
Explore the inner workings of the mind in this groundbreaking book that explains the two systems that drive the way we think. System 1 is fast, emotional, and intuitive while System 2 is slower, more analytical, and logical. Discover the benefits and drawbacks of both systems and learn how to tap into the benefits of slow thinking. With practical insights into decision-making in both our personal and professional lives, this book is a must-read for anyone looking to guard against mental pitfalls and gain a deeper understanding of the way we think.
Influence book cover
Influence
Science and Practice (5th Edition)
Robert B. Cialdini - 2006-12-26 (first published in 1984)
Goodreads Rating
Discover the science of compliance in this captivating book that uncovers the factors that influence people to say "yes" to a request. Scholarly research is combined with real-life techniques and strategies gathered from sales, fundraising, advertising, and other positions that commonly use compliance tactics. The author has organized the tactics into six categories based on psychological principles: reciprocation, consistency, social proof, liking, authority, and scarcity. Widely used in both classes and the business world, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the power of persuasion.
Predictably Irrational book cover
Predictably Irrational
The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions
Dan Ariely - 2008-02-19
Goodreads Rating
Discover why we make seemingly irrational decisions in our lives, from overspending on a meal to buying a car, in this groundbreaking and expanded edition of a New York Times bestseller. Author Dan Ariely challenges the assumption that we behave in rational ways and reveals the systematic and predictable nature of our misguided behaviors. Explore fascinating insights into the biases and tendencies that make us predictably irrational in this compelling read.
The Happiness Hypothesis book cover
The Happiness Hypothesis
Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom
Jonathan Haidt - 2006-12-01
Goodreads Rating
Explore the intersection of philosophy and psychology in this thought-provoking book. Award-winning psychologist Jonathan Haidt delves into enduring maxims such as "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you" and "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger," and shows how they can bring more happiness and fulfillment to our lives. A truly transformative read.
The Power of Habit book cover
The Power of Habit
Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business
Charles Duhigg - 2012-02-28
Goodreads Rating
Discover the fascinating science behind our habits and how they can be changed in this bestselling book. Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Charles Duhigg takes us from the boardrooms of Procter & Gamble to the civil rights movement, presenting a whole new understanding of human nature and its potential. At its core, The Power of Habit provides an exhilarating argument: understanding how habits work is the key to achieving success in life, business, and beyond. With captivating storytelling and practical advice, this book has been hailed by critics as essential reading.
Drive book cover
Drive
The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us
Daniel H. Pink - 2009-12-29
Goodreads Rating
Discover the paradigm-shattering approach to motivation in this persuasive book by Daniel H. Pink. Drawing on four decades of scientific research, Pink asserts that rewards like money are not the best way to motivate. Instead, he explores the deeply human need for autonomy, mastery, and purpose, offering surprising techniques for putting these elements into action. This unique book will transform how you think and live, whether at work, school, or home.
Mistakes Were Made book cover
Mistakes Were Made
Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions, and Hurtful Acts
Carol Tavris - 2007-01-01
Goodreads Rating
Discover the fascinating reasons why people always find ways to avoid taking responsibility for their mistakes in Mistakes Were Made. Esteemed social psychologists Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson dive into the human brain's penchant for self-justification and how it leads to harmful fictions that absolve us of wrongdoing. Drawing from years of research and using energized prose, the authors explain the dangers of self-deception and how to overcome it.
Stumbling on Happiness book cover
Stumbling on Happiness
Daniel Gilbert - 2007-03-20 (first published in 2006)
Goodreads Rating
Explore the mysteries of the human mind and discover the misguided ways we predict our own happiness in this accessible and witty book. Harvard psychologist Daniel Gilbert illuminates the illusions of foresight and imagination that skew our perception of the future and lead us to misjudge our satisfactions. Drawing on research from psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, and economics, Gilbert uncovers the secrets of human imagination and our ability to anticipate happiness. Don't miss out on this fascinating read that sheds light on the inner workings of our minds.
Blink book cover
Blink
The Power of Thinking Without Thinking
Malcolm Gladwell - 2007-04-03 (first published in 2005)
Goodreads Rating
Explore the mysteries of decision-making and how our brains process information in Blink. Malcolm Gladwell uses cutting-edge science to uncover how seemingly instant choices can have a profound impact on our lives. Discover why some people are natural decision-makers while others struggle, and why some decisions can't be explained to others. From predicting marriages to spotting antiques, Gladwell's insights are both fascinating and captivating. Find out why it's not about the quantity of information, but rather about the quality of our "thin-slicing" skills. Blink will change the way you think about thinking.
Recommended by
Victor Asemota
Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat book cover
Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat
Oliver W. Sacks - 1998-04-02 (first published in 1985)
Goodreads Rating
Explore the extraordinary world of neurological disorders through personal case studies. This book presents patients with bizarre perceptual and intellectual aberrations, vividly conveying their struggles to live with memory loss, loss of recognition, and violent tics. These deeply human tales showcase life's perseverance in the face of overwhelming adversity and provide a window into the lives of the neurologically impaired.
Recommended by
Marina Amaral
Games People Play by Eric Berne
The Invisible Gorilla by Christopher Chabris
The Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz
The Lucifer Effect by Philip Zimbardo
Quiet by Susan Cain
Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman
Brain Rules by John Medina
The Social Animal by David Brooks
Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
The Honest Truth About Dishonesty by Dan Ariely
Sway by Ori Brafman
The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson
Strangers to Ourselves by Timothy D. Wilson
The Art of Choosing by Sheena Iyengar
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
You Are Not So Smart by David McRaney
The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor
Switch by Chip Heath
The Social Animal by Elliot Aronson
Authentic Happiness by Martin E. P. Seligman
Redirect by Timothy D. Wilson
Grit by Angela Duckworth
The Upside of Your Dark Side by Todd Kashdan
Nudge by Richard H. Thaler
Emotions Revealed, Second Edition by Paul Ekman
The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie, Robert Petkoff, Donna Dale Carnegie, Simon & Schuster Audio
The Dictionary of Body Language by Joe Navarro
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
The Blank Slate by Steven Pinker
On Becoming a Person by Carl R. Rogers
Fooled by Randomness by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
The Psychology Book by Nigel C. Benson
Obedience to Authority by Stanley Milgram
Made to Stick by Chip Heath
The Best Place to Work by Ron Friedman
The Psychology of Judgment and Decision Making by Scott Plous
Willpower by Roy F. Baumeister
The Secret Life of Pronouns by James W. Pennebaker
The Good Life by Robert Waldinger
Mindset by Carol S. Dweck
Awe by Dacher Keltner
Numbers Rule Your World by Kaiser Fung
Originals by Adam Grant
The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt
Seeking Wisdom by Peter Bevelin
Peak by Anders Ericsson
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders by American Psychiatric Association
Man and His Symbols by Carl G. Jung
The Antidote by Oliver Burkeman
The Evolution of Cooperation by Robert Axelrod
Incognito by David Eagleman
The Varieties of Religious Experience by William James
Evolutionary Psychology by David Buss
The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
The Evolving Self by Robert Kegan
Psychology of Intelligence Analysis by Richards J. Heuer Jr.
Yes! by Noah J. Goldstein
How to Think Straight About Psychology by Keith E. Stanovich
Smart Choices by John S. Hammond
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association by American Psychological Association
Abnormal Psychology by Ronald J. Comer
Positivity by Barbara Fredrickson
The Drunkard's Walk by Leonard Mlodinow
Moonwalking with Einstein by Joshua Foer
Happier by Tal Ben-Shahar
12 Rules for Life by Jordan B. Peterson
The Inner Game of Tennis by W. Timothy Gallwey
The Art of Thinking Clearly by Rolf Dobelli
To Sell Is Human by Daniel H. Pink
Behave by Robert M. Sapolsky
The Examined Life by Stephen Grosz
Brainfluence by Roger Dooley
Everything Is F*cked by Mark Manson
Civilization and Its Discontents by Sigmund Freud
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
The Language Instinct by Steven Pinker
A Whole New Mind by Daniel H. Pink
The Champion's Mind by Jim Afremow
The Willpower Instinct by Kelly McGonigal
Choices, Values, and Frames by Daniel Kahneman
The Interpretation of Dreams by Sigmund Freud
Attached by Amir Levine
Hold Me Tight by Sue Johnson
Phantoms in the Brain by V. S. Ramachandran
The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi
Anatomy of a Breakthrough by Adam Alter
Memory How to Develop, Train, and Use It by William Walker Atkinson
Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus by John Gray