Overview

This groundbreaking study reveals how social connections are far more important than we thought, showing us the steps we can take to build better relationships and improve our lives. Social connection is as essential for our health and happiness as a balanced diet and regular exercise. It reduces our risk of stroke, heart disease, and Alzheimer's. It enhances our creativity and adds years to our life span. Yet many of us struggle to form strong and meaningful bonds--and the problem lies not with our personalities but with a series of cognitive biases that stop us from fulfilling our social potential. In The Laws of Connection, award-winning science writer David Robson describes the psychological barriers that lead us to keep others at a distance and offers evidence-based strategies to overcome them. Drawing on philosophy, neuroscience, and cutting-edge psychology, Robson introduces readers to new concepts such as the liking gap, the novelty penalty, the fast-friendship procedure, the beautiful mess effect, and the Japanese art of amae. Whether we are shy or confident, introvert or extrovert, we can all build deeper relationships. The Laws of Connection shows us how.

Full Product Details

9781639366484

Table of Contents

Reviews

"Praise for David Robson: ""As David Robson makes plain in this compelling book, the way we think about the world can profoundly shape how we navigate it. Based in science and packed with smart advice, The Expectation Effect will expand your mind?and maybe even extend your life.""--Daniel Pink, New York Times bestselling author of When, Drive, and To Sell Is Human ""The Intelligence Trap combines mesmerizing storytelling with groundbreaking new research about why having a high IQ can backfire. Essential reading for anyone who wants to think more clearly.""--Rolf Dobelli, author of The Art of Thinking Clearly ""A ceaselessly fascinating book written by one of our most consistently superb science writers. Its counter-intuitive argument, that intelligence is no inoculation against wrongness, explains so much about the fractious and baffling times in which we live.""--Will Storr, author of Selfie ""A fascinating and enjoyable investigation of what intelligence is and isn't, by one of the most exciting new voices in science writing. This thought-provoking and brilliantly researched guide to achieving true wisdom shows us how to be smarter?and how to protect ourselves from the cleverest fools.""--Gaia Vance, author of Adventures in the Anthropocene ""A fascinating exploration of the ways in which our brains can sabotage or save us in our most challenging moments.""-- ""Salon"" ""An engrossing standout in the thinking genre that will appeal to anyone who has ever been wrongheaded.""-- ""Kirkus Reviews"" ""Highly readable. Strikes the right balance between illustrative vignettes and accessible translations of complex research, delivering a smart look at intellect and its shortcomings.""-- ""Publishers Weekly"" ""I loved The Intelligence Trap. As fun to read as it is fascinating, it celebrates the power of humility and curiosity. Everyone, especially intelligent people, should read this brilliant and important book.""--Anna Rosling Rönnlund, coauthor of Factfulness ""If you're looking to make major or minor changes in your life, this book will help you leave the starting gate with positive expectations of success.""-- ""New York Journal of Books"" ""Made me realize that I'm leveraging far fewer of my brain's features than I could be. What scientists are learning about the connections between the human brain and performance is incredible. And David Robson manages to take this research and organize it into a compelling playbook for a better life.""--Gayle Allen, Curious Minds at Work podcast"

"""David Robson is one of my favorite science writers. He strikes the perfect balance between scientific accuracy, engaging storytelling, and practical relevance. His latest book compiles the best advice to come out of the large body of research on interpersonal relations to offer a comprehensive roadmap for building connections and strengthening relationships. Whether you want to get better at small talk or at staying close to the important people in your life, this book provides tangible, scientifically vetted solutions.""--Vanessa Bohns, Cornell professor and author of You Have More Influence Than You Think ""A fascinating and enjoyable investigation of what intelligence is and isn't, by one of the most exciting new voices in science writing. This thought-provoking and brilliantly researched guide to achieving true wisdom shows us how to be smarter?and how to protect ourselves from the cleverest fools.""--Gaia Vince, author of Adventures in the Anthropocene Praise for David Robson: ""As David Robson makes plain in this compelling book, the way we think about the world can profoundly shape how we navigate it. Based in science and packed with smart advice, The Expectation Effect will expand your mind?and maybe even extend your life.""--Daniel Pink, New York Times bestselling author of When, Drive, and To Sell Is Human ""The Intelligence Trap combines mesmerizing storytelling with groundbreaking new research about why having a high IQ can backfire. Essential reading for anyone who wants to think more clearly.""--Rolf Dobelli, author of The Art of Thinking Clearly ""A ceaselessly fascinating book written by one of our most consistently superb science writers. Its counter-intuitive argument, that intelligence is no inoculation against wrongness, explains so much about the fractious and baffling times in which we live.""--Will Storr, author of Selfie ""A fascinating exploration of the ways in which our brains can sabotage or save us in our most challenging moments.""-- ""Salon"" ""An engrossing standout in the thinking genre that will appeal to anyone who has ever been wrongheaded.""-- ""Kirkus Reviews"" ""Highly readable. Strikes the right balance between illustrative vignettes and accessible translations of complex research, delivering a smart look at intellect and its shortcomings.""-- ""Publishers Weekly"" ""I loved The Intelligence Trap. As fun to read as it is fascinating, it celebrates the power of humility and curiosity. Everyone, especially intelligent people, should read this brilliant and important book.""--Anna Rosling R�nnlund, coauthor of Factfulness ""If you're looking to make major or minor changes in your life, this book will help you leave the starting gate with positive expectations of success.""-- ""New York Journal of Books"""

Author Information

David Robson is an award-winning science writer and the author of The Intelligence Trap and The Expectation Effect. A graduate of Cambridge University, he previously worked as an editor at New Scientist. His writing has appeared in the Guardian, the Atlantic, Men's Health, the Psychologist, the Washington Post, and many other publications. The Intelligence Trap has been translated into fifteen languages. David lives in England.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available