Stumbling on HappinessNATIONAL BESTSELLER • Bringing to life scientific research in psychology, cognitive neuroscience, philosophy, and behavioral economics, this witty, accessible book reveals what scientists have discovered about the uniquely human ability to imagine the future, and about our capacity to predict how much we will like it when we get there. • Why are lovers quicker to forgive their partners for infidelity than for leaving dirty dishes in the sink? • Why will sighted people pay more to avoid going blind than blind people will pay to regain their sight? • Why do dining companions insist on ordering different meals instead of getting what they really want? • Why do pigeons seem to have such excellent aim; why can’t we remember one song while listening to another; and why does the line at the grocery store always slow down the moment we join it? In this brilliant book, renowned Harvard psychologist Daniel Gilbert describes the foibles of imagination and illusions of foresight that cause each of us to misconceive our tomorrows and misestimate our satisfactions. With penetrating insight and sparkling prose, Gilbert explains why we seem to know so little about the hearts and minds of the people we are about to become. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
actually Affective Forecasting allows American answer Behavior believe brain claims Clever Hans Cognitive Cognitive Psychology conclusions conjoined twins consider D. T. Gilbert Decision eating Effect Empathy Gaps ence Endowment Effect example expect eye tracker eyes fact frontal lobe future events happen hedons hence human illusion imagine the future immune system instance Jay Livingston Journal of Experimental Journal of Personality Kahneman less lives look Lori and Reba mean measure memory mental image mind Necker cube never object ourselves pain past Perception Personality and Social pleasure potato chips predict Prefeeling probably psychological immune system Psychological Review question reason recall researchers rience scientists simulated Social Psychology Social Psychology Bulletin someone spaghetti subjective experience T. D. Wilson tell tend Theory things tion told tomorrow trick Tversky U.S. presidential election visual words wrong York