by Adam Alter
First published 2013
Most people assume they control their own choices and think independently of their surroundings. Adam Alter challenges this assumption by examining how environmental factors unconsciously influence human judgment and behavior. He presents data and examples showing that external forces shape our thoughts and actions without our awareness or consent. Colors affect our moods. We favor names that resemble our own. Sunny weather can trigger both optimism and aggression. Alter demonstrates that the forces behind our feelings and decisions run far deeper than we realize. The book exposes the subtle but powerful ways our environment manipulates us daily. Readers discover how much of what they consider personal choice actually stems from external influences they never noticed. Alter offers insight into the hidden mechanisms that drive human behavior and decision making.
Genres: science, psychology, social-science, non-fiction
Vibes: accessible, informative, thought-provoking
Tropes: informative-nonfiction, popular-science
272 pages · Hardcover · Penguin Press