You Are Not So Smart in Science and Inquiry

Sep 11, 2014 David Rubenstein rated it liked it

Shelves: psychology

This is a fun, pop-psychology book that kept me interested from beginning to end. It is arranged into 48 chapters, each devoted to a different misconception that we are all subject to. Some of these misconceptions have technical names that will be unfamiliar to most people. For example, I never heard of "apophenia", which is the idea that coincidences are so miraculous, they must have meaning. The "truth" is that "Coincidences are a routine part of life, even the seemingly miraculous ones. Any m This is a fun, pop-psychology book that kept me interested from beginning to end. It is arranged into 48 chapters, each devoted to a different misconception that we are all subject to. Some of these misconceptions have technical names that will be unfamiliar to most people. For example, I never heard of "apophenia", which is the idea that coincidences are so miraculous, they must have meaning. The "truth" is that "Coincidences are a routine part of life, even the seemingly miraculous ones. Any meaning applied to them comes from your mind."

Another misconception is "Brand Loyalty". This is the idea that you prefer the things you own over those you don't, because of rational choices you made. The truth is that you prefer things that you own, because "you rationalize your past choices to protect your sense of self". Retailers understand this misconception, and try to prevent you from suffering from "buyer's remorse."

The "expectation" misconception is a classic. Wine experts can be fooled by altering their expectations. Experiments have shown that putting wines into bottles with cheap or expensive labels can alter the expectations of wine drinkers and experts alike, thus changing their opinions of wine quality. Some manufacturers put high prices on their products in order to persuade consumers of their high quality. I think of this, when I see high-priced headphones of certain brands.

Many of the misconceptions are described in terms of classic psychology experiments. They are all fun to read, and made me laugh (at myself). The only problem is that I've read about most of these experiments in other books. That is the problem with pop psychology books--after a while, they repeat the very same material over and over.

I do wish the book had an index. Here I am trying to remember where I read various anecdotes and experiments, and I am at a loss as to where to find them. Many of the chapters reiterate, "You are not so smart". So, the tone of the book might rub some readers the wrong way. But I felt like it was just written that way to add a bit of humor, not to be condescending. ...more

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Dec 29, 2017 Jim rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 1audio, 2non-fiction, science

A quick, informal view of cognitive biases, behaviors, & other glitches that keep us from being the rational beings we believe we are. Each chapter is brief explanation of what brain glitch is being covered. I knew most of them, but found even those chapters interesting as he gives very good examples. It's interesting how & why many of these evolved plus how they're playing out in modern society. Many are used to trick us by advertising, political candidates, & others. Many of these are necessar ...more

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Jun 01, 2015 Charlene rated it liked it

Shelves: decision-making, abnormal-psych, constructs, neuroscience, general-science

I feel torn about this book.

Opinion 1:

Every living organism with a human brain needs to read this book. If we were all more aware of our heuristics, it would be a win for the human race. There is scarcely a more important subject for the masses to digest and understand. It would certainly help us communicate with one another in more effective ways. I loved examining at all of my faulty wiring. This book is especially great for people capable of self-reflection. I always think of the adage, the b ...more

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Feb 19, 2013 loafingcactus rated it liked it

Shelves: library-kindle, read-2013

I read this book for a philosophy meetup, which is exactly as my reader might expect it to be, so the third person effect was strong in every reaction. The author does a great job with the laundry list of problems, but there was only one where I think he did a particularly effective job of making it clear that *you*, no YOU are not so smart. Unfortunately the facile, even glib suggestions on how to overcome the difficulties further undermined the argument that this is about this reader. If it is ...more

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Jan 12, 2013 Michael Harry rated it really liked it

Shelves: non-fiction

very good. I liked the format and the kindle version makes it easy to go the good chapters. well worth a read

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Aug 22, 2012 Edie Kestenbaum rated it it was amazing

Shelves: books-read-2012

Very simply written, but reframed my thoughts. Try it. You'll like it. ...more

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May 26, 2012 Gofita rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2013-read, favorite, psychology, critical-thinking, 2013-favorites

McRaney writes in 48 short chapters a major proportion of the logical fallacies, cognitive biases, and heuristics that make us humans "not so smart." Fun, straightforward, and oh so enlightening. Recommended for all of humanity. ...more

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