Psychology: Why It Matters [Hardcover]

You are remarkable: You experience a vast range of thoughts and feelings, including falling in love, remembering last Tuesday, and contemplating the meaning of life. And you can carry all sorts of astonishing behaviours, such as sauntering down the street, singing in falsetto and riding a unicycle. Psychologists study every aspect of how you think, feel, and behave.

Richard Wiseman takes you on a personal journey into this fascinating world, focusing on what makes for meaningful research. He explores how psychology reveals the hidden workings of the mind, boosts critical thinking, debunks myths, improves lives, and informs debates in politics, philosophy, and education. This insiders guide lifts the lid on how psychologists go about their work, examines contemporary challenges associated with studying the mind, and encourages students and researchers to reflect on why they do what they do.

If youve ever wanted to think like a psychologist, spot a liar, uncover the truth about happiness, or discover how to create a more altruistic society, then this book is for you.

This engaging yet scrupulous introduction is ideal for those who wonder what psychology is really about.
Uta Frith, University College London

Reading this one-of-a-kind book, you feel as if youre in a personal conversation with Richard Wiseman, one of the worlds most creative psychologists. He beautifully explains how psychologists gain insight into the human mind, expertly regales you withl3