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The field of Psychology is incredibly vast. With so many different sub-domains to learn from, it can be difficult to know what to read and where to start. If you want to read more books on Psychology, here are 11 different Psychology book recommendations spanning different sub-genres within the field.

Psych by Paul Bloom

Summary:

In Psych, Bloom explores the vastness of the human mind through the lens of different fields of psychology; behavioral, child, cognitive, clinical, educational, and positive psychology are just some of the areas discussed.

Each chapter examines a different field of psychology, shedding light on the contributions of renowned psychologists, researchers, and scientists within their respective fields. (i.e. Freud for psychoanalysis/therapy, Skinnier for behaviorism, etc.)

Thoughts:

Paul Bloom basically wrote the holy grail of psychology books. I enjoyed Psych so much that it was on my list of the Top 10 Books for 2023. I recommend reading Psych if you want a highly detailed, all-encompassing book about psychology. 

That said, it is quite a hefty read, so if you’re new to reading, I would wait to read Psych until you’re more comfortable reading books 400+ pages long. Regardless, the book is well worth the read, especially if you want a comprehensive scope into Psychology.

Creativity by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Summary:

Creativity is a profound examination of the psychological processes underlying creativity. It highlights how individuals can unlock their creative potential and thrive in various creative endeavors.

Thoughts:

I devoured and loved every second of this book, which ended up on my Top 10 Books of 2022 list!

I loved Mihaly’s honesty about the sample group for his study, how it challenged my perception and beliefs about creativity, and how fluid Miahly’s writing style is. I also loved the incorporation of his research on the flow state. Honestly, there’s not a single thing about this book that I didn’t enjoy. It’s a must-read!

The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt

Summary:

The Righteous Mind is a thorough examination of moral psychology, with a particular focus on its impact on religion and politics

Thoughts:

Moral psychology is a massive and difficult subject, especially when navigating the intricacies of two sensitive domains such as politics and religion. Haidt’s arguments were sound, reinforced by a compelling blend of research, logic, and reasoning. 

This book completely changed my thoughts on morality and what’s considered “right” and “wrong.” However, for the sake of transparency, I appreciated the book more once I finished it than while reading; this is due to Haidt’s writing style, which I wasn’t a fan of. Nevertheless, the content is incredibly thought-provoking, so I recommend reading The Righteous Mind.

Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Summary:

Flow examines the concept of ‘flow,’ explaining how individuals can achieve peak performance and fulfillment by immersing themselves in activities that foster deep concentration, heightened enjoyment, and a sense of timelessness

Thoughts:

This was the first Psychology book I’ve read back in 2021. I loved this book. If you want to learn more about using psychology to help you be more productive and learn new skills, read Flow. However, I will note that the book reads a bit like an Academic paper, so there’s a greater emphasis on research, conduction of study, and drawings than on applying research findings to your life. 

That said, there’s still discussion about the benefits of flow and how to use it in your daily life. It’s just not as straightforward and will require some time to extract that information.

Mindset by Carol Dweck

Summary:

In her book Mindset, Dweck draws on her research and critically examines the concept of mindset, revealing how adopting either a fixed or growth mindset profoundly impacts one’s approach to learning, achievement, and personal development.

Thoughts:

I wish I had read Mindset earlier because I would’ve enjoyed it more. I finally read this book last year, and after already being familiar with Dweck’s research before reading it, I felt bored. However, it would be a highly beneficial read for anyone interested in learning about the two mindsets. The subject is essential, especially for personal development and growth in all areas of life, so I still recommend this book.

Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely

Summary:

In Predictably Irrational, Ariely unveils the typical patterns of irrational behavior in our decision-making, shedding light on why we often make choices that defy logic and offering practical insights into understanding and managing these tendencies in everyday life.

Thoughts:

Not only was this book in my Top 10 Books of 2022, but it’s genuinely one of my favorite books ever. I love Ariely’s writing style; he’s witty, humorous, and incredible at explaining concepts simply. I’m a massive fan of Behavioral Economics, so whenever I meet anyone interested in learning more about the subject, I recommend reading this book first. There are so many important key takeaways from this book; it’s well worth the read.

Influence by Robert Cialdini

Summary:

Influence explores the psychology of persuasion, offering practical strategies to recognize and defend against manipulation while also leveraging these principles ethically for better communication and influence

Thoughts:

For transparency’s sake, I didn’t love this book. The advice was very general (i.e., appealing to others by showing how similar we are to them). Like Mindset by Dweck, I would’ve found it beneficial if I had read Influence earlier in my life. Therefore, I still recommend reading it, especially if you’re new to Psychology. 

Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

Summary:

Thinking, Fast and Slow examines two different thinking systems: System 1 (intuitive, fast) and System 2 (deliberate, slow) thinking. It reveals cognitive biases and heuristics influencing decisions and offers insights on enhancing judgment and decision-making.

Thoughts:

Like Mihaly’s book Flow, Thinking, Fast and Slow is written Academically, making it more difficult and tedious. That said, the key takeaways from Thinking, Fast and Slow are paramount and are the basis of all books on behavioral economics; for this reason, I still recommend this book, but only for intermediate readers since it isn’t beginner-friendly.

Never Split The Difference by Chris Voss

Summary:

Never Split The Difference offers insight into negotiation strategies drawn from Chris Voss’s experiences as an FBI negotiator.

Thoughts:

This is one of the best books on negotiation I’ve read. If you want to become a better negotiator, I highly recommend Never Split The Difference. The book also has a major story-telling component, which makes it enjoyable. 

Dollars and Sense by Dan Ariely

Summary:

Dollars and Sense is an insightful exploration of human behavior and decision-making in personal finance, offering practical tips on navigating the intricacies of money management.

Thoughts:

As I stated earlier, I love Ariely’s writing style. Dollars and Sense is everything that I thought The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel would be. This book gave me so much insight into my behavior behind personal finance decisions. I think it’s an important book to read, especially for anyone interested in learning about behavioral finance.

Thinking 101 by Woo Kyoung Ahn

Summary:

Thinking 101 highlights essential principles and methods of critical thinking, emphasizing the significance of cognitive biases and logical reasoning.

Thoughts:

Although I didn’t feel challenged by this book, I think it would be an excellent introduction for anyone eager to learn more about psychology, cognitive biases, logic, and reasoning. Ahn’s writing style is very personable, making the book enjoyable.

The Art of Thinking Clearly by Rolf Dobelli

Summary:

The Art of Thinking Clearly briefly examines over 100 different cognitive biases and logical fallacies that can impair our judgment in the decision-making process.

Thoughts:

The Art of Thinking Clearly is a great book, especially if you’re new to reading. Each chapter examines a different cognitive bias or logical fallacy, spanning no more than two pages. This is a great foundational book for psychology, especially if you are interested in learning more about biases. This book might not be for you if you’re already familiar with the different biases. However, if you’re new to the subject and want to learn more, I recommend reading this book.

Conclusion

Understanding the human mind and behavior is crucial for personal growth and development. With a greater understanding of how we function and think, we can make better decisions, become more compassionate and empathetic, and navigate life more easily.

If you want to shop the full list of books that I recommended, start by clicking here.