Humans are by far the most complicated creature on earth. Every individual in this world thinks differently. Also, how we feel and what we feel is something that makes us special. Reading a book on Human Psychology and behavioral science will help you understand yourself better.
Thus, you will find it super easy to communicate with people. As you become friends with your own self, it’s easy from there to master the art of negotiation. Understanding social psychology and human behavioral science will open all sets of new windows.
Here, we have listed some of the best books on human psychology that have ever been written. Check out to know more about how the human brain works!
10 Books to Read in Human Psychology
1. Thinking Fast and Slow
Author: Daniel Kahneman
Published in: 2011
Publisher: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux
Our capabilities to think are what make us human. But have you ever wondered why we think what we think? If not, then this is the book you need to read to get your thoughts in the right direction. Thinking Fast and Slow is one of the best books on humans. This book precisely depicts what shapes our thought process and how biases and faults play influential roles in our thoughts.
Whatever decisions we make in our daily life, our thought process is responsible for them. Since our life course depends on our decision-making, thoughts directly impact our lives.
It tells us that our everyday actions are based on two types of thinking: rational and intuitive. Read this book to learn more about controlling your thoughts mindfully and making deliberate decisions that are best for you.
You can buy this book from here.
2. Surrounded by Idiots
Author: Thomas Erickson
Published in: 2019
Publisher: St. Martin’s Essentials
Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson is known to be a groundbreaking and thought-provoking book written on human psychology. Have you ever faced problems at your workplace while expressing your opinions or offering constructive feedback? If yes, then this book can surely assist you in interacting with people in a much better way. This book explains how to approach and make the other person understand your opinion, offer feedback, take criticism or manage workflow.
The author has categorized people into four types. Yellow is for optimists. Red is for those who are dominant and strong-willed. While the Green people tend to be relaxed, there is the blue category too, and this type of people are mostly accurate and rational with their behavior.
As you check out the book, you can have a completely different perspective on human personality and will find it easy to get along with people.
You can buy this book from here.
3. Predictably Irrational
Author: Dr. Dan Ariely
Published in: 2009
Publisher: Harper
Dan Ariely is a behavioral economist, and in this book, he has come up with a new aspect of human psychology and behavioral science.
Predictably Irrational makes a point on how human beings behave irrationally and mostly remain imperative to make rational decisions for a major portion of their life cycle.
While depicting the theory, Ariely exemplifies how we are most likely to have another plate in an unlimited buffet even if we are full at that point in time. From emotions and expectations to incomprehensible social norms, the book simplifies how all these human attributes contribute to irrational decision-making.
Some strongly believe that there are certain behavioral modifications that you can implement in your own life to get better in decision making. If you adhere to the same thought, then reading this book can be a great start to your journey.
You can buy this book from here.
4. Games People Play
Author: Eric Berne
Published in: 1966
Publisher: HarperCollins Distribution Services
“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” Can you relate to this famous quote by Shakespeare? If yes, then you will probably like this esteemed book on human psychology and behavior by Dr. Eric Berne. The Games People Play tells us about three different natures in humans and describes them as Parent, Adult, and Child.
The author interprets basic social interactions and human behaviors as games. While talking about unconscious rivalry among friends, competition at work, or flirting with partners, the book reveals patterns of 120 games that people play with each other in daily life. The book is immensely popular and considered one of the best books written on human psychology.
Games People Play was published in the year 1964 and since then it has sold 5 million+ copies. If you want to reveal the secret of how the mind works for different people across situations, you must read this book.
You can buy this book from here.
5. Emotional Intelligence
Author: By Daniel Goleman
Published in: 2006
Publisher: Bantam
We all know about IQ or intelligence quotient. It is a number that gives a fair bit of idea about a person’s problem-solving skills and reasoning abilities and represents how intelligent the particular person is. However, Daniel Goleman has introduced a new concept in his book, regarded as an Emotional quotient. It denotes how well a person manages his emotions without causing any stress.
Do you find this concept of Emotional Quotient new and interesting? Then this book by Daniel is a must-read for you. As of now, we as a society have mostly valued IQ and have not had enough attention to EQ. However, EQ tells how a person can effectively communicate with another person with empathy and avoid conflicts.
In this book, science journalist and seasoned author Daniel Goleman explain why emotional literacy is indispensable to living a happy and healthy life. As Goleman says, at times EQ can be much more crucial than IQ. The author talks about different concepts of Emotional Quotient and states why EQ is as important as IQ. While reading the book, you can understand how emotional literacy is extremely important for humans to live happier and healthier lives. Moreover, a good EQ helps you communicate effectively and relieve stress. In addition, higher EQ will help you to better empathize with others and ease conflicts.
You can buy this book from here.
6. Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking
Author: Malcolm Gladwell
Published in: 2005
Publisher: Little, Brown & Co.
Thinking is one of the most influential tasks we do in our regular life. At times we think even without knowing what we are thinking. Blink by Malcolm Gladwell tells us how we think without even thinking and how minutely it affects our decision-making.
Every one of us has been in situations where we had to make decisions in a blink of an eye. These are processed so fast through our brain that it does not always seem a thoughtful decision. But none of our decision-making is as simple as it may seem. Every time we decide something, we process it through a pool of information, and knowingly or unknowingly, it takes place in our brains.
If you want to enlighten yourself with the process of decision-making and set some groundbreaking orders to revolutionize the way you think ‘Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking is a must-read for you.
You can buy this book from here.
7. Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us
Author: Daniel H. Pink
Published in: 2009
Publisher: Riverhead Books
With the right kind of motivation, human brains are designed to do wonders. In fact, motivation drives us to do what we do the best in our daily life. Lately, if you have hit that roadblock in your career where it seems no motivations are enough to move forward in life, then you must check out this book.
In one of the best psychology books’ Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, the author Daniel H. Pink explains the type of motivation we encounter. As Daniel says, two common human stimuli drive us. The first one, of course, as he mentioned, is the biological stimulus that drives us to take care of our physiological needs. Also, as mentioned in the book, the other motivation is the rewards and punishment drivers.
Not only these two, but the author also mentioned a third, and that is the intrinsic motivator or the pleasure of completing a task. The book can change your perspective on life and can bring in some amazing techniques to create the right atmosphere through your lifestyle and keep yourself motivated.
You can buy this book from here.
8. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking
Author: Susan Cain
Published in: 2012
Publisher: Crown
If you have been an introvert throughout your life and society has never let you feel good about it, then it’s time for a change of concept. This book by Susan Cain actually celebrates and affirms the introverts while the whole world only talks about the constant gratification related to socializing, teamwork, connection, and collaboration.
Introverts often prefer listening rather than speaking and also like to work alone rather than in a team. These are the people who truly love solitude; they create and innovate but are self-effacing in nature. As Susan said, society is in debt of gratitude to the introverts. He draws our attention to see and be grateful to the legends such as Einstein, Darwin, and Abraham Lincoln, who have been introverts for a major portion of their life.
You can buy this book from here.
9. Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience
Author: Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Published in: 2008
Publisher: Harper Colins
As humans, we all want to be happy and prosperous in life no matter what. But as life happens to all of us, it becomes impossible to keep up the happiness in the tough times. Lately, if you struggle to get going in your daily life, ‘Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience’ can surely help you.
Authored by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, a Hungarian-American psychologist, the book claims that ultimate happiness can be attained through establishing an ideal state of mind known as ‘Flow.’
As the author explains, this hyper-focused state can help you to achieve productivity and happiness in whatever you pursue in life.
He claims that, like meditation, such “flow” experiences can lead to personal growth and true enjoyment. Also, the book explains that you can achieve that state of mind to prosper in life, education, or professional career. You must read this fascinating and enlightening book to plan for a happier, more productive, more satisfying existence.
You can buy this book from here.
10. The Catalyst: How to Change Anyone’s Mind
Author: Jonah Berger
Published in: 2020
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
We aim to make a difference not only in our own lives but also in the lives of the people around us. Marketers, for example, try to persuade customers, couples try to change each other, and employees try to exert control over their bosses. Change may appear difficult, but marketing expert Jonah Berger is convinced that you must alter your response to problems.
As one of the best books on human psychology, the Catalyst: How to Change Anyone’s Mind will teach you how to recognize and overcome life barriers with ease. Therefore, as you read the book, you can move forward in life with confidence.
You can buy this book from here.
Conclusion
From becoming on point in the decision making to better communicate with the people around you, having knowledge of human psychology can help you live a happy and healthy life. Reading these top 10 psychology books will help you understand your personal needs, strengths, and fears.
Therefore, you will be able to become much more confident and assertive as a human being. Which book did you like the most from our list? Tell us in the comment section below.
Happy Reading!
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