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The Invisible Gorilla: And Other Ways Our Intuitions Deceive Us Audiobook, by Christopher Chabris Play Audiobook Sample

The Invisible Gorilla: And Other Ways Our Intuitions Deceive Us Audiobook

The Invisible Gorilla: And Other Ways Our Intuitions Deceive Us Audiobook, by Christopher Chabris Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Dan Woren Publisher: Random House Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 6.17 hours at 1.5x Speed 4.63 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: May 2010 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9780307735768

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

84

Longest Chapter Length:

08:21 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

15 seconds

Average Chapter Length:

06:40 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

2

Other Audiobooks Written by Christopher Chabris: > View All...

Publisher Description

Reading this book will make you less sure of yourself—and that’s a good thing. In The Invisible Gorilla, Christopher Chabris and Daniel Simons, creators of one of psychology’s most famous experiments, use remarkable stories and counterintuitive scientific findings to demonstrate an important truth: Our minds don’t work the way we think they do. We think we see ourselves and the world as they really are, but we’re actually missing a whole lot.   Chabris and Simons combine the work of other researchers with their own findings on attention, perception, memory, and reasoning to reveal how faulty intuitions often get us into trouble. In the process, they explain:   • Why a company would spend billions to launch a product that its own analysts know will fail • How a police officer could run right past a brutal assault without seeing it • Why award-winning movies are full of editing mistakes • What criminals have in common with chess masters • Why measles and other childhood diseases are making a comeback • Why money managers could learn a lot from weather forecasters   Again and again, we think we experience and understand the world as it is, but our thoughts are beset by everyday illusions. We write traffic laws and build criminal cases on the assumption that people will notice when something unusual happens right in front of them. We’re sure we know where we were on 9/11, falsely believing that vivid memories are seared into our minds with perfect fidelity. And as a society, we spend billions on devices to train our brains because we’re continually tempted by the lure of quick fixes and effortless self-improvement.   The Invisible Gorilla reveals the myriad ways that our intuitions can deceive us, but it’s much more than a catalog of human failings. Chabris and Simons explain why we succumb to these everyday illusions and what we can do to inoculate ourselves against their effects. Ultimately, the book provides a kind of x-ray vision into our own minds, making it possible to pierce the veil of illusions that clouds our thoughts and to think clearly for perhaps the first time.

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"Wow, just like Freakonomics turned Economic theory upside down, The Invisible Gorilla dives into the mystery of human psychology. On a daily basis, I reflect back on this book and am constantly relating it to our daily misconceptions we have for ourselves and each other. This book has become very influential to me, and I highly recommend this book to anyone that is ready for a refreshing perspective. Thanks again to Erik for the initial recommendation!"

— Karl (4 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “Entertaining and illuminating…This book is a surprising guide to everyday illusions and the trouble they can steer us into.”

    — Dan Ariely, New York Times bestselling author of Predictably Irrational
  • “From courtrooms to bedrooms to boardrooms, this fascinating book shows how psychological illusions bedevil every aspect of our public and private lives. An owner’s manual for the human mind!”

    — Daniel Gilbert, professor of psychology, Harvard University, and New York Times bestselling author of Stumbling on Happiness
  • “Chabris and Simons’ experiments have become classics, and their influence extends well beyond psychology, with implications for our understanding of consciousness and rationality. Having taught their research to my students at Harvard, I was eager to read The Invisible Gorilla, and the book did not disappoint.”

    — Steven Pinker, New York Times bestselling author of The Stuff of Thought
  • “Engaging and humane…The Invisible Gorilla just might teach us to be more humble, understanding, and forgiving.”

    — New York Times
  • “As a thoughtful introduction to a captivating discipline, the book succeeds wonderfully…Readers who heed the admonitions of Chabris and Simons may be rewarded with a clearer view of the world.”

    — Wall Street Journal
  • “If the authors make you second-guess yourself ten times today, they’ve done their job.”

    — Psychology Today
  • “The Invisible Gorilla is filled with fascinating and revealing experiments that call into question assumptions we have about our mental abilities and those of others…A must-read for anyone who wants to better understand how the mind works.”

    — Associated Press
  • “Though Chabris and Simons threaten to pull the rug of reality itself from under us, their fascinating experiments and well-chosen examples keep our feet on the ground, perhaps even more than before.”

    — Seed Magazine
  • “A humbling journey into the fallibility of our thinking.”

    — Minneapolis Star Tribune
  • “Packed with evidence from hundreds of scientific experiments, it’s a persuasive, surprising, and even amusing book that will have you rethinking the way you think you see the world.”

    — Fort Worth Star Telegram
  • “Thought-provoking, entertaining, educational, and sobering, this book is a must read for those honest enough to realize they don’t or can’t, know it all.”

    — El Paso Times
  • “Narrator Dan Woren conveys a bright-eyed fascination with this collection of surprising research on the ways we mentally process the world around us. Though his diction is precise and his phrasing is carefully matched to the nuances of the text, his narration is natural and appealing.…a stimulating educational experience for anyone.”

    — AudioFile
  • “Full of humor and insight, this book is enlightening and entertaining…Readers beware: Your perception of everyday occurrences will be forever altered.”

    — Library Journal
  • “[An] engaging treatise on how our intuitions often lead us astray…Illustrated with eye-opening, often humorous examples.”

    — Booklist
  • “A fascinating look at little-known illusions that greatly affect our daily lives…[The Invisible Gorilla] offers surprising insights into just how clueless we are about how our minds work and how we experience the world.”

    — Kirkus Reviews
  • “In The Invisible Gorilla, you should expect the unexpected, to your very great delight.  If any work of social science could be a page-turner, this is it.”

    — Nicholas A. Christakis, professor, Harvard Medical School, and coauthor of Connected: The Surprising Power of Our Social Networks and How They Shape Our Lives

Awards

  • A New York Times bestseller

The Invisible Gorilla Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.92 out of 53.92 out of 53.92 out of 53.92 out of 53.92 out of 5 (3.92)
5 Stars: 4
4 Stars: 16
3 Stars: 4
2 Stars: 1
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 (5.00)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 (5.00)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
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  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    — Gerrard Mills, 4/3/2019
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " It is amazing to know how inattentive we really were. This book helps me understand how limited my capacity as human is, and in some way, how to manipulate my limitation for my own good. The research examples were fun, and gave my brilliant insight for my own research on cognitive psychology. "

    — Wisnu, 2/12/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Interesting counter (not intentional or directed) to Malcolm Gladwell's Blink. Useful and mind opening about a number of misconceptions, exploring why we fall for the same traps - particularly when it comes to causation and media. "

    — James, 2/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I've always suspected that our experience of the world is frighteningly removed from what actually happens: finally proof. Great content. Great delivery. Great book. "

    — Michael, 1/22/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Looking is not the same thing as seeing ... A book that shows you why you should not be completely positive about what you have "seen" "

    — Heba, 1/22/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A fun review of some major concepts from undergrad psych. "

    — Liesalu, 1/13/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Not ground breaking insight but it was useful to refine my own understanding of things. "

    — Christopher, 1/11/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Fascinating book. I will never again read the results of a scientific study or listen to eyewitness testimony without thinking of this book and questioning what I'm reading/hearing. "

    — Pam, 12/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Meh. Interesting concepts, pedestrian writing. "

    — Chris, 12/25/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Interesting information and overall enlightening. It can be a little dry at times, though, and it lost my attention before picking back up a couple times. "

    — Carolyn, 12/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I listened to this one, and found is fascinating. I liked the beginning of the book much more than the end, mostly because the beginning was all new information (that I found fascinating.) "

    — Asenath, 11/18/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Very interesting concept. I watched the video years ago and always wondered if there was more information available. Reviews the blindness we have with focus, memory, confidence, understanding, increase in brain power. "

    — Walt, 10/29/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Two psychology professors explain why we should question intuition, memory, and confidence, among other things. They back it all up with scientific research, debunking a number of popular myths along the way. "

    — Steven, 7/5/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Interesting research, and worth reading. Not compelling writing, but I was glad to have stuck with it for the "illusions" the authors explored. "

    — Mary, 3/13/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Heard about it on NPR and decided to read because it sounded interesting and I was biased because one of the authors is from Illinois. Really enjoyed the book, but I generally like books about psychology and how the mind works, especially if it contradicts so called common knowledge. "

    — Dawn, 10/16/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book is scary accurate about me. "

    — Lori, 8/23/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This kind of freaked me out in the middle, but I got through to acceptance by the end. Also, the author clearly doesn't like Malcolm Gladwell's pop psychology. Hilarious. "

    — Kyle, 4/24/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Our intuitive beliefs that we experience and remember the world as it is can deceive us. Understanding the illusions that we have about ourselves and others can help us to make better decisions. "

    — Tom, 4/18/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " It's taking me awhile to finish, but I really like this book. "

    — Sara, 1/28/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Very entertaining. It seems we're not as smart, clever, or aware as we think we are. "

    — Shalaka, 10/27/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Great description of the classic "gorilla" study as well as other well-known studies in visual cognition. Some of the content will be quite familiar to audiences well-versed in psychology, but it did give me some ideas for demos/activities in my AP Psych classes. "

    — Virginia, 5/14/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Perhaps my head wasn't in the right place to read this right now. I started out being fairly interested but as I ground through another and then another chapter I began getting the impression it was a rather manipulative book. "

    — J.M., 4/19/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This was a good balance to books like Malcolm Gladwell's Blink, offering alternative perspectives and a bit of rationality when we're all set to trust gut instincts and imagine we have limitless potential untapped in our minds. "

    — Tuuli, 4/15/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A book that will question everything we believe we hear, know or see. Written in beautiful English with short sentences by acclaimed professors. "

    — Martin, 4/14/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " About a quarter of the way through, it seems unlikely that they author will be able to stretch the idea of mental blindness across an entire book, but he serves up compelling evidence that in the end, nobody knows nothing. The section on confidence was especially eye opening. "

    — Paul, 3/18/2011

About the Authors

Christopher Chabris is a cognitive psychologist who has received numerous accolades for his research. Most notably, his “Gorillas in Our Midst” study reveals the dark side of our ability to pay attention and has quickly become one of the best-known experiments in all of psychology; it inspired a stage play and was even discussed by characters on the television series CSI. Chabris received his PhD from Harvard University and is currently a psychology professor at Union College in New York.

Daniel Simons is a professor in the department of psychology at the University of Illinois, where he directs the Visual Cognition Laboratory. Christopher Chabris is a cognitive scientist who has taught at Union College and Harvard University.

About Dan Woren

Dan Woren is an American voice actor and Earphones Award–winning narrator. He has worked extensively in animation, video games, and feature films. He is best known for his many roles in anime productions such as Bleach and as the voice of Sub-Zero in the video game Mortal Kombat.