Impulse: Why We Do What We Do Without Knowing Why We Do It

by Dr David Lewis

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When you make a decision or form an opinion, you think you know why. But you’re wrong. The truth is that most of our mental activity actually happens below the level of conscious thought. In this groundbreaking book, Dr David Lewis, director of the cutting-edge research agency Mindlab International, explores this incredible phenomenon. Delving into the mysteries of the ‘zombie brain’ that each of us possesses, he demonstrates how unconscious neurological processes underpin every aspect of our lives, from whether or not we find someone sexually attractive to how we resist (or give in to) temptation. In the process he shows how finger length is a reliable predictor of risk-taking behaviour, how seeing the logos of fast food chains can make you more impatient, and how holding a warm drink makes you find strangers more likeable. Above all, he reveals the practical applications of this emerging field of research, giving us insights into such diverse areas as child development, anti-social activities like rioting, successful dieting, and even the ways that supermarkets make us spend more. We may not be conscious of our impulses but it is clear that we can no longer afford to be ignorant of them.
  • ISBN10 1847946860
  • ISBN13 9781847946867
  • Publish Date 16 January 2014 (first published 16 May 2013)
  • Publish Status Active
  • Publish Country GB
  • Publisher Cornerstone
  • Imprint Random House Books
  • Format Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
  • Pages 336
  • Language English