Our minds are our most valuable possessions, yet we don’t always know how to use or understand them. A large portion of our minds’ capacity remains untapped in the vast majority of cases. To learn everything there is to know about the complex psychology that underpins human behavior, all you have to do is select the correct books and read them. Continue reading to learn about five intriguing and enlightening books that reveal the secrets of the human brain and show us how to make the most of the incredible organ we’ve all been given.
1. Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erickson:
The world’s best-selling book by Thomas Erickson will explain the entire complexity of personality types. If your boss becomes enraged at everyone for no apparent reason and completely spoils your day, this fantastic example from the human behavior books will explain why. Surrounded by Idiots covers a wide range of human behavior and how to deal with them effectively. Discover the simplest method for getting along with everyone!
We can’t help but see our coworkers as bumbling, giggling hyenas, wondering what the hell is wrong with them and why anyone would do anything like that. As strange as it sounds, it’s possible that our coworkers aren’t merely fools; rather, we may have contradictory personality types (different human behavior) that cause us to be perplexed.
The first stage is to determine the four primary personality types and their characteristics, which are classified by color.
Red personalities are domineering and ambitious, whereas yellow-headed personalities are effervescent, conversational, and upbeat. People with green personalities, on the other hand, are calm, analytical, and value stability above all else. This connects them to the last personality type, the Blues, who are quiet, introverted, and detail-oriented, even if they have a negative outlook on life.
Understanding how each personality type thinks and values things in life might help you collaborate and communicate more effectively while reducing irritation. It’s all too easy to believe we’re surrounded by idiots. However, as Erikson shows, this is the outcome of misinterpreting the personality types of others. But, if we take the time to learn how people communicate and absorb information, we can eliminate these misunderstandings and improve our own communication!
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2. Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard by Chip and Dan Heath:
There are two sides to our minds. The rational mind and the emotional mind are two types of minds. When the alarm goes off in the morning, your emotional mind urges you to stay in bed and sleep, whereas your rational mind wants you to get out of bed and work. There is a clash between your rational and emotional minds. Who will be the one to lead the charge? How can the rational brain take control? This book will assist you in understanding your brain.
We’re always on the lookout for issues to solve. However, sometimes the greatest way to remedy it is to look for things that are right rather than things that are wrong. Here’s an excellent example: In Vietnam, Jerry Sternin was in charge of ‘Save The Children,’ which was entrusted with combating malnutrition. Westerners would come in and try to enhance the food supply in earlier attempts to solve the problem, so the women could feed their children like American children. This was a significant cultural shift.
Big Jerry, on the other hand, took a different strategy. He noted that not all of the children were underweight. Rather than attempting to reform everyone, he focused on what was working for healthy children. They discovered a distinct difference between the well-nourished and malnourished children by shining a spotlight on them. They both ate the same amount of food, but they ate it in different ways. Instead of consuming a bowl of rice twice a day, the mothers of the healthy children fed them a half-serving four times a day.
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They eventually discovered that malnourished children who ate large portions did not have a digestive system capable of extracting nutrients. Jerry discovered an efficient technique to teach change by looking at what had previously worked. Identifying and highlighting a ‘bright spot’ provides motivation. A bright spot, rather than just looking for issues, offers a solution. Instead of asking, “What’s breaking, and how can we fix it?” ask, “what’s working, and how can we do more of it?”
Don’t be alarmed if the change is difficult. Because of internal conflicts, you, like many others, are terrified of change. Your rational and emotional thoughts are always at odds with how you make decisions. That’s why it’s so difficult for us. Psychologists Chip and Dan Heath will show you how to make life changes more easily and efficiently. And if you grasp how the mind works, you’ll be closer to achieving your objectives.
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3. Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People by Vanessa Van Edwards:
Vanessa Van Edwards, the author, was introverted and had trouble navigating social situations. She eventually understood, however, that charisma can be developed and that each person has a unique key. In this book, Van Edwards gives helpful tactics to help you win in any situation. As a result, you’ll be able to read people’s emotions and deal with difficult social circumstances. This book also aids in overcoming shyness and learning to comprehend people more readily.
According to Vanessa van Edwards, you don’t have to act as you belong everywhere, and you don’t have to behave like you’re good at everything. According to a survey conducted by Vanessa’s lab, Science by People, 86.9% (out of 4.361 participants) are capable of recognizing a fake smile. So, even if you think you’re fitting in, if you’re faking a smile, you’re probably already being identified as a counterfeit.
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What can you do about it? To put it simply, you can’t. The ideal option is to avoid these uncomfortable social encounters. After all, all the individuals at a party can’t possibly be important to you! It’s exhausting to attempt to be the same as everyone else. When you try to fit into a box, you end up being forgotten. When you try to be “average,” you end up being boring. Simply be yourself, because no one else is exactly like you. Own it if you’re a little odd. The right people will like you for it.
Informative? Buy the book and influence people
4. Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman:
Everything in our lives is determined by our choices. They must be taken fast at times, and we must ponder about them for months at other times. In each scenario, two types of thinking impact our decisions: intuitive and rational. Why do we place a higher value on attractive people? What impact do bolded words have? The psychologist and economist Daniel Kahneman published one of the best psychological books on human behavior. We think quickly and slowly at different times.
One of the book’s key points is to explain how the brain employs these two systems to think and make decisions. System 1 is intuitive and automatic; we utilize it when we need to think quickly, such as when driving a car or recalling our age in a conversation. Meanwhile, System 2 is responsible for problem-solving and focus; we employ it when we need to think slowly, such as when calculating a math problem or completing our tax returns.
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System 2 is most active when we have self-control, concentration, and focus because slow thinking needs intentional effort. However, when we don’t have those – such as when we’re exhausted or worried – System 1 takes over impulsively, clouding our judgment. This human behavior book will help you to learn how to make informed decisions and maintain mental control with this book.
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5. How to Talk to Anyone: 92 Little Tricks for Big Success in Relationships by Leil Lowndes, Joyce Bean:
Leil Lowndes reveals the art of communication through approximately 100 (!) life tips. You’ll learn how to make a good first impression, how to negotiate, how to enhance your gestures and body language, and how to have productive phone conversations in order to tackle human behavior.
Do you find it difficult to start a conversation on occasion? Is it difficult to gain traction for a topic once you’ve started one? Perhaps you’ll have to take a backseat while you watch your coworkers outshine you in popularity. Why? Perhaps they have spent time honing the talent of making new friends on the spur of the moment. But don’t worry; you can make up for the lost time by reading this human behavior book.
Maintain a positive first impression by cultivating a welcoming environment. Conversations with new acquaintances are enriched by your grin, handshake, gesticulation, and facial expression while listening. Observe their demeanor and give a subtle imitation of their body language; this will inform your new friend that you are agreeable. Recognize their preferences and compliment them accordingly.
- Learn as much as you can about your new friend without interrogating them.
- Every chance you have, pass the buck to them.
- Give them the freedom to wax poetic about their passion. When given the opportunity, most people would be delighted to talk about their accomplishments.
Finding out what the other person does is a typical topic of conversation. Understanding human behavior is essential for everyone. When they finally tell you about their passion or career, focus on the aspects of their hobbies that you can relate to. Emphasizing the areas where your personalities and interests intersect acts as a natural adhesive that helps to solidify the relationship rapidly.
Informative? Buy the book and influence people
Hope these 5 Human behavior books will assist you.