Navigate Cognitive Chronicles with these Behavioural Psychology Books

Behavioral psychology, or behaviorism, is the study of human behavior. The theory assumes that individuals acquire all behaviors through their interactions with the environment. Behaviorists prioritize examining observable behaviors over unobservable mental processes, believing that focusing on external behaviors allows for more objective and scientific assessment.

From the 1920s until the 1960s, behavioral psychology was the most widely accepted and prominent school of psychology. Many areas, such as education, employ its techniques and principles today. Behavioral psychology also significantly impacts many aspects of business, such as how individuals and groups behave in organizations. Understanding human behavior allows firms to make better decisions and increase productivity.

Reading books about behavioral psychology can help you improve your personal and professional life. They help you understand why people behave the way they do and what pushes them to do so. In return, it also allows you to understand yourself better. In this post, we will look at a list of specifically curated books in this field that will help you get an in-depth cognitive understanding.

Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst
How We Know What Isn't So
What Everybody Is Saying
Extraordinary Popular Delusions & the Madness of Crowds
The Psychology of Advice: Using Behavioral Science to Build Trust and Help People
Wait: The Art and Science of Delay
Dark Psychology
Methods of Persuasion: How to Use Psychology to Influence Human Behavior
Art of Contrary Thinking

Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst

Behave by Robert Sapolsky delves into the multitude of factors that influence human behavior, from biology to culture. It gives an in-depth understanding of the impacts of our actions, as well as recommendations for how to create a more compassionate society. Sapolsky employs an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on biology, neuroscience, and anthropology to provide insights into the causes of the best and worst human behavior. Robert Sapolsky offers a unique perspective as he has studied primates and humans and builds his ideas on scientific evidence and field observations. His work highlights the complex aspects that influence human conduct and emphasizes the connection between brain chemistry and our cultural environment.

How We Know What Isn't So

Author and social psychologist Thomas Gilovich's book How We Know What Isn't So examines the fallibility of human judgment and reasoning. Gilovich looks at the motivational, social, and cognitive mechanisms that lead even highly educated individuals to accept questionable or blatantly incorrect opinions. The book covers topics like confirmation bias, hindsight bias, and how social and cognitive variables influence our perceptions of reality. He explains how much of what we know is based on secondhand information, which can be misleading and lead to flawed decision-making.

What Everybody Is Saying

Joe Navarro is a Cuban-born American author, public speaker, and former FBI agent who has published thirteen books. What Every Body Is Saying is a valuable resource for understanding and interpreting nonverbal communication. The book highlights the significance of nonverbal communication, noting that sixty and sixty-five percent of all interpersonal communication occurs in nonverbal forms. Navarro teaches readers how to observe and judge people in context, taking into account regular conduct and many tells or clusters of behavior. Throughout the book, Navarro draws on his experiences while in the FBI and uses real-life examples that illustrate the issues he addresses.

Extraordinary Popular Delusions & the Madness of Crowds

Charles Mackay's book studies crowd psychology and the psychology underpinning mass panic and delusions. It examines several historical events where mass hysteria and groupthink produced unusual and illogical behaviour. Mackay highlights the risks associated with following the herd and the influence of public opinion. The book is organized into three volumes: National Delusions, Peculiar Follies, and Philosophical Delusions. Even though the book was written in the 19th century, its themes and teachings still apply today and offer a timeless look into psychology. Mackay's work is humorous and insightful at the same time, showcasing the absurd and irrational aspects of human behavior overall with stories and anecdotes. 

The Psychology of Advice: Using Behavioral Science to Build Trust and Help People

In addition to his position at Boatman Learning, Dan Smaida is the founder of the AdvisoryEDGE Forum platform, which assists advisers from various industries in improving their meeting techniques and providing more excellent value to their customers. The Psychology of Advice teaches advisers how to apply behavioral psychology to provide customers with advice they can depend on and follow. It explains why people sometimes disregard good advice and why they believe harmful recommendations. The book delves deeply into how advisers can avoid cognitive traps, come across as less "salesy" to clients, and improve their efficiency and consultative behaviors in their respective fields.

Wait: The Art and Science of Delay

Wait: The Art and Science of Delay, by Frank Partnoy, delves into the concept of delay and its impact on decision-making in many different contexts. Frank defines delay as the deliberate act of gaining control of time and slowing down answers to produce better results. Partnoy combines facts from hundreds of scientific research and interviews with diverse professionals to illustrate good decision-making that contrasts with our brutally fast-paced environment. The book argues that understanding the art and science of delay allows people to make more careful and informed decisions in their professional and personal lives.

Dark Psychology

Dark Psychology delves into manipulation and influence techniques based on advanced NLP and behavioral psychology. The book aims to provide readers with a thorough understanding and practical guidance to understanding and using concepts like behavioral manipulation, emotional intelligence, and the secrets of dark psychology in many different circumstances.

Methods of Persuasion: How to Use Psychology to Influence Human Behavior

This book by Nick Kolenda examines how psychology can be used to affect how people behave. It provides a potent seven-step method of persuasion based on the acronym METHODS, which stands for Mold Their View, elicit Congruent Attitudes, Set Off Social Pressure, Habituate Your Message, Enhance Your Message, Accelerate Their Momentum, and Maintain Their Compliance. The book explains the psychology of each phase and offers helpful advice and ideas for handling and interpreting time when making decisions. By blending psychological principles with real-world examples and practical techniques, Kolenda hopes to help readers learn the art and science of persuasion.

Art of Contrary Thinking

Humphrey Neill's classic book, The Art of Contrary Thinking, delves into the concept of contrarianism in investing and decision-making. Since it came out in 1954, Neill's book has challenged conventional thinking by encouraging readers to exercise independent judgment, particularly when it comes to financial markets. The book emphasizes the value of opposing viewpoints in avoiding forecasting the unexpected and becoming caught up in the world of thought. It provides security against depth manipulators and keeps one from becoming a dogmatist. The book also explores a number of psychological concepts, like greed, fear, and herd mentality, that influence market behavior.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, reading about behavioral psychology through books serves as an enjoyable methodology to learn about yourself and how people interact with one another. These books reveal the complexities of our behavior and provide us with valuable insights about navigating the complexities of relationships, career, and personal development. Each book offers a unique perspective on the intricacies of the human mind.

FAQs

What is Behavioural Psychology?

Behavioral psychology, also known as behaviorism, is the study of human behavior and how it's influenced by our interactions with the environment.

What are some potential benefits of reading books about behavioral psychology?

• Understand why people behave the way they do.
• Improve your communication and interpersonal skills.
• Make better decisions in your personal and professional life.
• Gain a deeper understanding of yourself and others.

What are some of the books to navigate Cognitive Chronicles?

• Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst
• How We Know What Isn't So
• What Everybody Is Saying
• Extraordinary Popular Delusions & the Madness of Crowds
• The Psychology of Advice: Using Behavioral Science to Build Trust and Help People
• Wait: The Art and Science of Delay
• Dark Psychology
• Methods of Persuasion: How to Use Psychology to Influence Human Behavior
• Art of Contrary Thinking