Five Psychology Books Everyone Should Read
- Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
- The Interpretation of Dreams by Sigmund Freud
- The Neurotic Personality of Our Time by Karen Horney
- Man and His Symbols by Carl Jung
- Behind the Shock Machine: The Untold Story of the Notorious Milgram Psychology Experiments by Gina Perry
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1. Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
Daniel Kahneman is an American-Israeli psychologist best known for receiving the 2002 Nobel Memorial Prize for his work in economics. His specialty is behavioral economics. In 2011, he published Thinking, Fast and Slow. It’s considered a masterpiece in the field of psychology of judgment. The book focuses on thinking systems, which can be divided into two systems: fast and slow. These systems, as Kahneman points out, control how we think and make decisions. This is a great read for students just learning about psychology. It provides actionable advice that can be put into practice immediately.2. The Interpretation of Dreams by Sigmund Freud
No list on this subject would be complete without mentioning a book by Sigmund Freud, the father of psychology. His seminal work, The Interpretation of Dreams, was published in 1900 and is still used as a reference guide for psychologists in the field. The development of his psychology philosophy is rooted in dream symbology. He includes anecdotes about his own dreams and the dreams of others. It ensures that all readers, –psychology professionals and laypersons– will be able to understand his work and gain a new perspective on psychology.3. The Neurotic Personality of Our Time by Karen Horney
Karen Horney’s book The Neurotic Personality of Our Time was published in 1937. At first glance it seems to point to a historical perspective on personality. In reality, the book is evergreen and provides individuals with a deep understanding of how neurotic personalities can develop. Horney’s premise is that societal and internal dynamics may force people to build false personalities to hide:- deep-seated insecurities
- fears
- anxiety
4. Man and His Symbols by Carl Jung
Jung is one of the most famous psychologists in the world. So it should be no surprise that one of his seminal works, Man and His Symbols, makes an appearance on this list. The book outlines what Jung referred to as human “archetypes” that became the basis of MBTI, or Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, test. The importance of the book, however, is not limited to the theory that led to this test. The book actually focuses on symbols and humanity’s relationship to symbols. These continue to be an influence on human culture through entertainment and marketing processes.5. Behind the Shock Machine: The Untold Story of the Notorious Milgram Psychology Experiments by Gina Perry
Gina Perry is a psychologist who has been an important voice in the realm of nonfiction writing, particularly on the subject of psychology. Her book Behind the Shock Machine, chronicles the untold story of the famous Stanley Milgram experiments. The study was about the obedience of people and was carried out in the 1960s. Perry examined the study. She also looks at Milgram and the consequences of the trial. She painted a picture of psychological research in the 1960s that has changed the way that most psychologists currently approach their work. The book is accompanied by a documentary of the same name that aired in 2009. Psychology permeates daily life. It’s important to understand the subject in order to live well. While many think that there aren’t reasons for why humans do things, studies have shown that the opposite is actually true. People who read these five psychology books will have a better understanding of human behavior and will be better off in both their personal professional lives.Related Resources: