Optimism Bias

One of the most innovative neuroscientists at work today investigates the neural basis of our bias towards optimism. 'Lucid, engaging and cutting-edge... a must-read for anyone interested in imagining the future' David Eagleman, neuroscientist and bestselling author of Sum and Incognito Psychologists have long been aware that most people maintain an often irrationally positive outlook on life. In fact, optimism may be crucial to our existence. Tali Sharot is one of the most innovative neuroscientists at work today, and in this fascinating exploration, she shows how the brains of optimists and pessimists differ; why we are terrible at predicting what will make us happy; and how our optimistic illusions affect our financial, professional and emotional decisions. With its cutting-edge science and its wide-ranging and accessible narrative, The Optimism Bias provides us with startling new insight into how the workings of the brain create our hopes and dreams. 'Highly original and packed with eye-opening insight, this is a beautifully written book that really brings psychology alive' Simon Baron-Cohen, Cambridge University Professor and author of Zero Degrees of Empathy and The Science of Evil CATEGORY: POPULAR SCIENCE Winner of the British Psychological Society Book Award for Popular Psychology Psychologists have long been aware that most people tend to maintain an irrationally positive outlook on life. In fact, optimism may be crucial to our existence. Tali Sharot's original cognitive research demonstrates in surprising ways the biological basis for optimism. In this fascinating exploration, she takes an in-depth, clarifying look at how the brain generates hope and what happens when it fails; how the brains of optimists and pessimists differ; why we are terrible at predicting what will make us happy; how anticipation and dread affect us; and how our optimistic illusions affect our financial, professional, and emotional decisions. With its cutting-edge science and its wide-ranging and accessible narrative, The Optimism Bias provides us with startling new insight into how the workings of the brain create our hopes and dreams.