Cheap Psychological Tricks: What to Do When Hard Work, Honesty, and Perseverance Fail

by Mitzi Cartee (Illustrator), Mitzi Cartee (Illustrator)

Psychologist Perry Buffington offers more than sixty inside secrets, all based in scientific research, to enhance your odds of being successful in everyday situations, as well as some stickier ones.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction

181 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an amusing little read, especially if you are a psychologist. It basically distills all kinds of complex psychological theories into handy little hints designed to manipulate others. Okay, maybe it's not quite as devious as that sounds, but it does contain quite a few classic examples of how to use the way we think to get what you want out of a situation. For example, learning to gauge pupil dilation to win at poker games, how to use social discomfort to your advantage to get out of a ticket, how to feign ignorance in order to fend off premeditated attacks on your ideas, etc., etc. I think the best use of a book like this is to educate people on just how practical (yet still entertaining) psychology can be. Other handy features include references to psychological research that relates to each topic.

[SmarterLilac · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is greeeeaaaat. I learned so much about how my brain and psychology work. My favorite cheap psychological trick: How to use paradoxical intention to fall asleep. If you're trying to fall asleep, try to stay awake. (You'll trick your brain into getting tired and conk right out.)

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun easy read, skip a semester of general psychology and just read this instead. Everything you need to know and if it peaks your interest in the study of human behavior then head to class for more details.

[Arline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun to read.