“Each chapter is a gem of insight into the human experience, cut and polished to perfection by the renowned psychologist David Myers. Better than any book I can recall, this book answers questions about why we think, feel, and act as we do—but also makes us curious to learn more.” —Angela Duckworth A delightful tour of the wonders of our humanity from David G. Myers, the award-winning professor and author of psychology’s bestselling textbook. Over the past three decades, millions of students have learned about psychology from textbooks by David G. Myers. To create these books and to satisfy his own endless curiosity about the human mind, Myers monitors the leading journals to discover the most extraordinary new developments in psychological science. How Do We Know Ourselves? is a compendium of the most wondrous verities that Myers has found: a thought-provoking audiobook about psychological science’s insights into our everyday lives. His astute observations and sharp-witted wisdom enable listeners to think smarter and live happier. Myers’s explorations range from why we so often fear the wrong things to how simply going for a walk with someone can increase rapport and empathy. He explains why we repeatedly mishear song lyrics and how the color of President Obama’s suits aided in his decision-making. Myers also explores the powers and perils of our intuition, explaining why anything can seem obvious once it happens. Each of these forty essays offers fresh insight into our sometimes bewildering but ever-fascinating lives, all drawn from psychology’s latest research. Myers is engaging and intellectually provocative, and he brings a wealth of knowledge from more than fifty years of teaching and writing about psychology to this lively and informative collection. He inspires us to ponder timeless questions, including what might be the most intriguing one of all: How do we know ourselves? A Macmillan Audio production from Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
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"We psychologists are often frustrated that our science fails to satisfy people’s curiosity about what makes us tick, how we relate to one another, and how we can use such knowledge to lead happier and more fulfilling lives. But in this book David Myers, who knows a thing or two about psychology, shows how it can be done. These essays are both scientifically responsible and filled with insight about life, mind, and society."
— Steven Pinker, Johnstone Professor of Psychology, Harvard University, and the author of How the Mind Works
How Do We Know Ourselves? is a treasure. Each chapter is a gem of insight into the human experience, cut and polished to perfection by the renowned psychologist David Myers. Better than any book I can recall, this book answers questions about why we think, feel, and act as we do—but also makes us curious to learn more. I loved it!
— Angela Duckworth, author of GritFor four decades, David Myers has been the foremost communicator of the science of psychology to the outside world. Now, we are privileged to have access to his innermost thoughts and his wisdom about what it all means for ourselves and our future. This is the capstone work of a great psychologist.
— Martin Seligman, Zellerbach Professor of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania and author of The Hope CircuitThis book’s title is understated, like its author. It is so much more than ‘curiosities’ and ‘marvels.’ In forty short and engaging essays, David Myers offers guidance on how to think, and wisdom about leading a life of meaning and connection in a world increasingly hostile to such pursuits.
— Jonathan Haidt, Thomas Cooley Professor of Ethical Leadership at the New York University Stern School of Business, author of The Righteous Mind, and coauthor of The Coddling of the American MindA witty, enjoyable book with plenty of food for thought.
— KirkusThe book’s format makes for a comfortable, nearly conversational read, while also engaging readers in a deep dive of pondering their lives ... highly recommended for those interested in psychology, self-help, reflections, and the desire to understand society.
— Library Journal, starred reviewA quick and illuminating overview of the human mind.
— Publishers WeeklyBe the first to write a review about this audiobook!
David Myers received his B.A. in chemistry from Whitworth University, and his psychology Ph.D. from the University of Iowa. He has spent his career at Hope College in Michigan, where he has taught dozens of introductory psychology sections. Hope College students have invited him to be their commencement speaker and voted him "outstanding professor"
His research and writings have been recognized by the Gordon Allport Intergroup Relations Prize, an Honored Scientist award from the Federation of Associations in Behavioral & Brain Sciences, an Award for Service on Behalf of Personality and Social Psychology, a Presidential Citation from APA Division 2, election as an American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellow, and three honorary doctorates.
With support from National Science Foundation grants, Myers' scientific articles have appeared in three dozen scientific periodicals, including Science, American Scientist, Psychological Science, and the American Psychologist. In addition to his scholarly and textbook writing, he digests psychological science for the general public. His writings have appeared in four dozen magazines, from Today's Education to Scientific American. He also has authored five general audience books, including The Pursuit of Happiness and Intuition: Its Powers and Perils.
David Myers has chaired his city's Human Relations Commission, helped found a thriving assistance center for families in poverty, and spoken to hundreds of college, community, and professional groups worldwide.
Drawing on his experience, he also has written articles and a book (A Quiet World) about hearing loss, and he is advocating a transformation in American assistive listening technology (see HearingLoop.org). For his leadership, he has received awards from the American Academy of Audiology, the hearing industry, and the Hearing Loss Association of America.
David and Carol Myers met and married while undergraduates, and have raised sons Peter and Andrew, and a daughter, Laura. They have one grandchild, Allie.