Quirkology: The Curious Science of Everyday Lives
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Author: Richard Wiseman |
Quirkology is tremendous fun. Based on the TV series of
the same name, it's a very easy read because it is all
about you and people you know.
Wiseman can tell you all about how you are likely to
respond to many of life’s situations. What will amaze
you is the sheer oddity (not to mention number) of
curious phenomena that scientists have felt inspired
to investigate. Wiseman will tell you all about the
research that illuminates how your name can affect
your choice of partner, your career, and how long you
live (bet that one surprised you).
Then there’s the research into what makes us laugh.
Just why is the letter ‘K’ so hilarious? Why do men
and women find different jokes funny? And speaking of
men and women, what is the best way to write a lonely
hearts ad to get the most responses?
The answer is surprisingly numerical. Even more
surprisingly, men turned out to be much better at
identifying which personal ads written by men would
attract more responses, than women were about ads
written by women. Women, in fact, were pretty hopeless
at spotting which female ads would be successful. It’s
worth getting this great find of a book for the
explanation of this finding – and the professor’s
advice to women on what to do about it – alone.
Wiseman (a great name for a psychologist, as he points
out) also looks at superstition, the psychology of
deception, the perfect (scientifically validated) chat
up line, how it is that people can walk on hot coals,
subliminal advertising and much more besides.
'Quirkology' is witty and informative and will light
up your dinner party or pub conversations. But it’s
more than just fun – there are some profound truths
about human nature and behaviour in what Wiseman is
telling us.
If you want to be amazed and informed, get this book –
and no, that wasn’t subliminal...
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