{"product_id":"the-optimism-bias-isbn-9780307473516","title":"The Optimism Bias","description":"\u003cp\u003ePsychologists have long been aware that most people maintain an irrationally positive outlook on life—but why? Turns out, we might be hardwired that way.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e In this absorbing exploration, Tali Sharot—one of the most innovative neuroscientists at work today—demonstrates that optimism may be crucial to human existence. \u003ci\u003eThe Optimism Bias\u003c\/i\u003e explores how the brain generates hope and what happens when it fails; how the brains of optimists and pessimists differ; why we are terrible at predicting what will make us happy; how emotions strengthen our ability to recollect; how anticipation and dread affect us; how our optimistic illusions affect our financial, professional, and emotional decisions; and more.\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e Drawing on cutting-edge science, \u003ci\u003eThe Optimism Bias \u003c\/i\u003eprovides us with startling new insight into the workings of the brain and the major role that optimism plays in determining how we live our lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Fascinating. . . . Even if you’re a dedicated cynic, you might be surprised to learn that your brain is wearing rose-colored glasses, whether you like it or not.”\u003cbr\u003e—NPR\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“What a treat. A charming, engaging and accessible book written by a scientist who knows how to tell a story.”\u003cbr\u003e—Richard Thaler, author of \u003ci\u003eNudge\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“An insightful, Oliver Sacks-y first book.”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003ci\u003eThe Village Voice\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Very enjoyable, highly original and packed with eye-opening insight, this is a beautifully written book that really brings psychology alive.”\u003cbr\u003e—Simon Baron-Cohen, author of \u003ci\u003eThe Science of Evil\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e“Offers evolutionary, neurological, and even slightly philosophical reasons for optimism. . . . A book I’d suggest to anyone.”\u003cbr\u003e—Terry Waghorn, \u003ci\u003eForbes\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e“If you read her story, you’ll get a better grip on how we function in it. I’m optimistic about that.”\u003cbr\u003e—Richard Stengel, \u003ci\u003eTime\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e“Once I started reading \u003ci\u003eThe Optimism Bias\u003c\/i\u003e, I could not put it down.”\u003cbr\u003e—Louisa Jewell, \u003ci\u003ePositive Psychology News Daily\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e“An intelligently written look into why most people take an optimistic view of life. . . . [A] fascinating trip into why we prefer to remain hopeful about our future and ourselves.”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003ci\u003eNew York Journal of Books \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e“With rare talent Sharot takes us on an unforgettable tour of the hopes, traps and tricks of our brains. . . . A must-read.”\u003cbr\u003e—David Eagleman, author of \u003ci\u003eIncognito\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e“A fascinating yet accessible exploration of how and why our brains construct a positive outlook on life.”\u003cbr\u003e—BrainPickings.org\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e“Lively, conversational. . . . A well-told, heartening report from neuroscience’s front lines.”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e“Most readers will turn to the last page not only buoyed by hope but also aware of the sources and benefits of that hope.”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e“Fascinating and fun to read. . . . Provides lucid accounts of [Sharot’s] often ingenious experiments.”\u003cbr\u003e—BBC\u003ci\u003e Focus Magazine\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTali Sharot’s research on optimism, memory, and emotion has been the subject of features in \u003ci\u003eNewsweek, The Boston Globe, Time, The Wall Street Journal, New Scientist,\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe Washington Post,\u003c\/i\u003e as well as on the BBC. She has a Ph.D. in psychology and neuroscience from New York University and is the director of the Affective Brain Lab and an Associate Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience in the department of Experimental Psychology at University College London. She lives in London.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTable of Contents\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePrologue: A Glass Forever Half Full? \u003cbr\u003e1. Which Way Is Up? \u003ci\u003eIllusions of the Human Brain \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e2. Are Animals Stuck in Time? \u003ci\u003eThe Evolution of Prospection \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e3. Is Optimism a Self- Fulfi lling Prophecy? \u003ci\u003eHow the Mind Transforms Predictions into Reality \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e4. What Do Barack Obama and Shirley Temple Have in Common? \u003ci\u003eWhen Private Optimism Meets Public Despair \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e5. Can You Predict What Will Make You Happy? \u003ci\u003eThe Unexpected Ingredient for Well- being \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e6. Crocuses Popping Up Through the Snow? \u003ci\u003eWhen Things Go Wrong: Depression, Interpretation,\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eand Genes \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e7. Why Is Friday Better Than Sunday? \u003ci\u003eThe Value of Anticipation and the Cost of Dread \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e8. Why Do Things Seem Better After We Choose Them? \u003ci\u003eThe Mind’s Journey from Expectation to Choice and Back \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e9. Are Memories of 9\/11 as Accurate as They Seem? \u003ci\u003eHow Emotion Changes Our Past \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e10. Why Is Being a Cancer Survivor Better Than Winning the Tour de France? \u003ci\u003eHow the Brain Turns Lead into Gold \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e11. A Dark Side to Optimism? \u003ci\u003eFrom World War II to the Credit Crunch—Underestimating Risk Is Like Drinking Red Wine \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEpilogue: A Beautiful Mademoiselle or a Sad Old Lady? \u003ci\u003eFrom Prediction to Perception to Action \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAcknowledgments \u003cbr\u003eNotes \u003cbr\u003eIndex\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vintage","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46303494668517,"sku":"NP9780307473516","price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780307473516.jpg?v=1767740807","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/the-optimism-bias-isbn-9780307473516","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}