Thinking, Fast and Slow – Daniel Kahneman – 2011, Farrar, Straus and Giroux
An exploration of the dual systems that drive human thought and the cognitive biases that influence decision-making.
-
-
Touching: The Human Significance of the Skin – Ashley Montagu – 3rd Edition (1986), Harper & Row (First published 1971)
A comprehensive examination of the skin’s role as a vital sensory organ, detailing the biological and psychological necessity of touch for human development and social well-being.
-
The True Believer – Eric Hoffer – 1951, Harper & Brothers (First Edition)
A psychological study of the common traits shared by mass movements, exploring how individual frustration leads to collective fanaticism and self-renunciation.
-
The Watchmaker’s Apprentice – June Goodfield – 2015, Candlewick Press
A scholarly examination of the lives of George Daniels and Roger Smith, focusing on the revival of traditional horology, the psychology of mastery, and the master-apprentice relationship.
-
The Psychology of Rumor – Gordon Allport and Leo Postman – 1947, Henry Holt and Company
A foundational study in social psychology that explores how rumors are shaped by the cognitive processes of leveling, sharpening, and assimilation in environments of ambiguity and importance.
-
The Power of Now – Eckhart Tolle – 1997, Namaste Publishing
An exploration of the mechanics of human consciousness, focusing on the distinction between the egoic thinking mind and the state of presence. The work examines the psychological roots of suffering and the cultural synthesis of Eastern and Western contemplative traditions.
-
The Pillow Book – Sei Shōnagon – Translated by Ivan Morris (1966)
The Pillow Book provides a unique and intimate glimpse into the life and aesthetic sensibilities of a Heian court lady.
It offers insight into Japanese culture, particularly the values and customs of the aristocratic class during the 10th and 11th centuries.
It stands as a foundational work of Japanese literature and a significant document for understanding pre-modern Japanese society. -
The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less – Barry Schwartz – 2004, Ecco Press (HarperCollins)
An examination of the psychological burden caused by an abundance of choice in modern society, contrasting the ideal of autonomy with the reality of decision fatigue and regret.
-
The First and Last Freedom – Jiddu Krishnamurti – 1954, Victor Gollancz Ltd (London) / Harper & Row
An examination of the mechanics of human consciousness, exploring how psychological conditioning, memory, and ego-driven thought shape our perception of reality.
-
The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals – Charles Darwin – 1872, John Murray (First Edition)
A foundational study examining the biological origins and universality of emotional expressions in humans and animals, utilizing comparative observation and early scientific photography.