The 28 Best Psychology Books of All Time (2024)
Welcome to our Best Psychology Books Collection. Here you’ll find summaries of the best books on psychology, including top books on human behavior, understanding the mind, and psychology for beginners.
Thinking, Fast and Slow explains how people make decisions using two mental systems: "fast" thinking is instinctive and emotional, while "slow" thinking is deliberate and logical. Daniel Kahneman helps us understand our when our mind fall into common biases and irrational shortcuts, so we can make better decisions in the future.
"A reliable way to make people believe in falsehoods is frequent repetition, because familiarity is not easily distinguished from truth." —Daniel Kahneman
The Body Keeps the Score is about fascinating new trauma treatments based on the latest research, like eye movement therapy and neurofeedback. Van der Kolk says many of us carry traces of trauma from childhood adversity or neglect. Emotional healing can happen through practices like mindfulness, yoga, play and more.
"Being able to feel safe with other people is probably the single most important aspect of mental health." —Bessel van der Kolk
Man's Search for Meaning was written after Viktor Frankl survived the concentration camps of WW2. He noticed that his fellow prisoners who could find purpose and meaning in their suffering found the strength to survive, while others perished. This book is also a guide to finding meaning in your life.
"Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's way." —Viktor Frankl
"Predictably Irrational" by Dan Ariely explores the hidden forces that shape our decisions, demonstrating through a series of experiments and insights that humans do not always act rationally. Ariely delves into behavioral economics to explain why people often make irrational choices in their daily lives and how these choices affect consumer behavior.
"Even the most analytical thinkers are predictably irrational; the really smart ones acknowledge and address their irrationalities." —Dan Ariely
Why should you read it? Dan Ariely uses engaging research and real-world examples to show just how often we stray from rationality. This book is not only fascinating but also immensely useful, particularly for marketers, as it explains the underlying motives behind consumer choices. Whether you’re a professional in the field or simply curious about human nature, this book offers valuable insights into the irrational ways we all behave.
12 Rules for Life is about putting your life in order and taking responsibility for what happens. Jordan Peterson begins each chapter with a simple Rule like "Stand up straight" then he launches into thought provoking lessons from science, religion, history and psychology.
"In the West, we have been withdrawing from our tradition-, religion- and even nation-centred cultures, partly to decrease the danger of group conflict. But we are increasingly falling prey to the desperation of meaninglessness, and that is no improvement at all." —Jordan B Peterson
Dopamine Nation explains how to break bad habits using the neuroscience of dopamine, the "pleasure molecule" in our brains. If you want to retrain your brain to like doing hard things, Dr. Anna Lembke shares tools that may help like dopamine fasting, self-binding, truth-telling and leaning into pain.
"The paradox is that hedonism, the pursuit of pleasure for its own sake, leads to anhedonia, which is the inability to enjoy pleasure of any kind." —Anna Lembke, MD
Why should you read it? Imagine a book that helps you understand why we're all seemingly addicted to things like coffee, Instagram likes, or that that sweet, sweet rush of completing a to-do list. Dr. Anna Lembke takes us on a journey through the neuroscience of pleasure and pain, proving that sometimes, too much of a good thing is exactly as bad as it sounds. 🍩
Behave explains why humans behave the way we do. Sapolsky breaks down complex science into enjoyable explanations, beginning at the level of our brains, then diving into hormones, genes, evolution and even culture and history. By the end, you'll be questioning many long-held assumptions about how much we control ourselves.
"Crucially, the brain region most involved in feeling afraid and anxious [the amygdala] is most involved in generating aggression." —Robert Sapolsky
Civilization and Its Discontents was written by Sigmund Freud, possibly THE most influential psychologist of all time. He said people are unhappy in modern society because they are forced to suppress many of their instincts for sex and aggression.
"Beauty, cleanliness and order plainly have a special place among the requirements of civilization." —Sigmund Freud
"The Psychology of Money" by Morgan Housel is about how our money and financial decisions are often determined by psychological factors such as ego, emotions, and biases. He argues that making good financial decisions and building wealth is less about gaining financial expertise, and more about cultivating qualities like patience, humility, and long-term thinking.
"There is no reason to risk what you have and need for what you don’t have and don’t need." —Morgan Housel
Why should you read it? After reading "The Psychology of Money" by Morgan Housel, I've gained incredible insights into how our emotions and biases significantly shape our financial decisions, often more than we realize. It's not just about numbers and strategies; it's about understanding ourselves. Housel uses engaging stories and examples that made me rethink my relationship with money. <br /><br />I recommend this book because it's not just about getting rich; it's about cultivating a healthier, more self-aware approach to managing your finances and life. It's a must-read for anyone looking to navigate the complex world of money with a clearer mind.
Influence is about six principles of persuasion useful for sales, marketing, and negotiation. Professor Robert Cialdini backs his ideas with a lot of science research. The six principles are: reciprocity, commitment and consistency, social proof, liking, authority and scarcity.
"Our best evidence of what people truly feel and believe comes less from their words than from their deeds." —Robert Cialdini
Why should you read it? Influence may be the greatest marketing book of all time. But more than that, like a secret playbook of the human mind—a deep dive into our decision-making process. Think of it as a crash course in "Why did I just agree to that?" or "Why did I just buy that?" It's a must-read, whether you are a marketer, salesperson, or you just want to communicate with more influence. By the end, you'll understand why we say "yes" to things that make no sense, from buying stocks we know nothing about to subscribing to that cheese-of-the-month club. 🧀
The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene is a self-help book that explains how powerful people have gained and maintained their control over the centuries. While controversial for its manipulative tactics, this book also shares eye-opening insights into history, strategy, and human nature.
"Powerful people impress and intimidate by saying less. The more you say, the more likely you are to say something foolish." —Robert Greene
"What Every BODY Is Saying" by Joe Navarro is a guide to understanding body language, written by a former FBI agent. The book offers science-backed insights to help you communicate better and read people's nonverbal signals to understand their true thoughts and feelings.
"Having studied nonverbal behavior most of my adult life, I have come to realize that there are two principal things we should look for and focus on: comfort and discomfort." —Joe Navarro
Why should you read it? Reading "What Every Body is Saying" may completely change how you interact with people. Joe Navarro, with his vast experience as an FBI agent, provides fascinating insights into nonverbal communication that you can apply in everyday life. This book will make you more perceptive and aware of the subtle cues people give off, helping you understand their true feelings and intentions. It's a must-read for anyone looking to improve their communication skills and build better relationships.
Propaganda is an eye-opening look at how public opinion can be manipulated through media, for political power and profit. Edward Bernays says that in politics, an "invisible government" of thought leaders shape public discussion. And in business, companies use "public relations" techniques to control their reputation.
"The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society." —Edward Bernays
Why We Sleep is about the critical importance of sleep, including the science of how sleep works, and some tips for how we can get better sleep. Modern people often don't realize that getting less than 7-8 hours of sleep daily can significantly decrease our short-term mental abilities and long-term physical health.
"Routinely sleeping less than six or seven hours a night demolishes your immune system, more than doubling your risk of cancer." —Matthew Walker
The True Believer shows how the same human frustrations drive all mass movements—whether social, political or religious. People join mass movements to escape their ineffectual and helpless individual self. Eric Hoffer wrote this book 70 years ago, but it's still frighteningly relevant today.
"Faith in a holy cause is to a considerable extent a substitute for the lost faith in ourselves." —Eric Hoffer