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Perceptual Intelligence: The Brain's Secret to Seeing Past Illusion, Misperception, and Self-Deception
The Secret Behind Our Perceptions Finally Revealed!
Why do we gravitate to products endorsed by celebrities? Why does time seem to go by faster as we get older? Why are some athletes perpetual winners and others losers? Exploring the brain’s ability to interpret and make sense of the world, Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler describes how your perception can be reality or fantasy and how to separate the two, which is the basis of improving your Perceptual Intelligence (PI). With concrete examples and case studies, Dr. Brian (as he’s known to his patients) explains why our senses do not always match reality and how we can influence the world around us through perceptions, inward and outward. By fine-tuning your PI, you can better understand what’s really going on and make more insightful decisions in your life.
Why do we gravitate to products endorsed by celebrities? Why does time seem to go by faster as we get older? Why are some athletes perpetual winners and others losers? Exploring the brain’s ability to interpret and make sense of the world, Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler describes how your perception can be reality or fantasy and how to separate the two, which is the basis of improving your Perceptual Intelligence (PI). With concrete examples and case studies, Dr. Brian (as he’s known to his patients) explains why our senses do not always match reality and how we can influence the world around us through perceptions, inward and outward. By fine-tuning your PI, you can better understand what’s really going on and make more insightful decisions in your life.
280 pages, Paperback
Published October 17, 2017
22 people are currently reading
352 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 29, 2020
The humour and some interesting information or trivia thrown at you here and there cannot save this mess. Which is a pity because the author is quite talented at writing and with some effort it could have been a good book. And I know we are not supposed to take seriously the perceptual intelligence assessment from the last chapter but even so ... how on earth can laughing out loud until your chest hurts at the preposterous sermon given by your priest about red-haired witches living among us is a sign of low perceptual intelligence? Laughing in the aisles at an imbecile’s exhortation is always the right thing to do no matter how odd and antisocial it might seem. :P
September 6, 2017
Endorsements:
“Brilliant insights and clarity to help you see yourself better and identify when your perceptions might be spot-on — or leading you far astray. Perceptual Intelligence couldn’t be more timely for the chaotic world of today.”
— “Dr. Phil” McGraw, host of Dr. Phil
“Perceptual Intelligence shows how reality can be altered in a person’s mind. . . . Did wearing the same pair of socks in every decathlon I was ever in help me become a champion? I think so — and my individual perception of that ‘reality’ is all that matters.”
— Caitlyn Jenner, author of The Secrets of My Life
“We are constantly bombarded with mixed messages that can greatly influence our thinking. As such, it is very timely for Dr. Brian to address the important concept of perception. Perceptual Intelligence is a great first step in helping us understand how and why we perceive things the way we do, with the ultimate goal of making better decisions in our lives.”
— Dr. Travis Stork, ER physician and host of The Doctors
“I loved reading Dr. Brian’s book. Perceptual Intelligence is the magic that comes from preparation coupled with experience.”
— Apl.de.ap, multi-Grammy-winning musician, Black Eyed Peas
“A terrific and intelligent great read infused with unexpected sly humor. . . . Dr. Brian’s revelations will astonish you!”
— Victoria Principal, actress, entrepreneur, and founder of Principal Secret
“We can close our eyes and envision ourselves being victorious, or we can allow the floating images in our heads to make us do gullible and foolish things. Perceptual Intelligence has the power to help people find the champion and truth teller within themselves.”
— Apolo Ohno, eight-time Olympic medalist
“Perceptual Intelligence will make you reexamine how you see the world and make decisions. Through engaging and often humorous scenarios, Dr. Brian reveals the fundamentals of Perceptual Intelligence, or PI, in ways that can and should resonate with anyone with a curious mind. I see many ways this new understanding of PI can help me make better decisions in my work, home, and finances.”
— Sharon Zezima, general counsel, GoPro
“A life changer! Not only does Dr. Brian prescribe ‘corrective glasses’ to see your life more clearly and confidently, he tells you how to create the lenses yourself. I wish I’d had this book decades ago.”
— Leil Lowndes, bestselling author of How to Talk to Anyone: 92 Little Tricks for Big Success in Relationships
“I’m a big believer in Perceptual Intelligence. Without it you won’t be successful.”
— Tommy Pham, Major League Baseball player for St. Louis Cardinals
“Showing us that the more we understand our brains and thinking while competing, the better we perform, Perceptual Intelligence will help athletes and nonathletes alike perform better in sports and in life.”
— Pam Shriver, doubles tennis champion and ESPN commentator
“A must-read for any business leader or marketer who wants to drive more demand for a product or service.”
— Suzanne Saltzman Ginestro, chief marketing officer for Campbell Fresh, a Division of the Campbell Soup Company
“I found the chapters on the dynamics of social influence and how reciprocity hijacks our perceptual intelligence informative and engagingly written.”
— Robert B. Cialdini, PhD, bestselling author of Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion
“This uniquely nuanced examination of the power and pitfalls of perception will delight all who seek a greater understanding of how we view the world and the perceptions that influence every aspect of our lives. I will recommend this book to colleagues and patients alike.”
— Andrew Ordon, MD, “America’s plastic surgeon,” cohost of The Doctors, and author of Better in 7: The Ultimate Seven-Day Guide to a Better You
“By discussing how to focus yourself and heighten your PI, Dr. Brian dissects the zone and helps everyone figure out how to get there more often — hence even better performance.”
— Elana Taylor, Olympic silver and bronze medalist, USA Bobsled
“A masterpiece! Incredibly engaging with well-placed humor throughout, Perceptual Intelligence is a clear, grounded, and useful guidebook that teaches the skills we all need to enhance our lives.”
— Lisa Breckenridge, newscaster for CBS2 in Los Angeles
“Dr. Brian is expanding our view of human perception. Combining a surgeon’s precision with the power and fluency of a gifted writer, he challenges us to consider the space between what we understand intellectually and what we feel experientially, the latter of which remains resistant to any deep scientific analysis yet factors greatly in our experience of the world.”
— Khawar Siddique, MD, MBA, award-winning board-certified neurosurgeon
“Riveting and relevant! At times it boggles the mind — and when was yours last boggled? Read on!”
— Boze Hadleigh, author of Celebrity Feuds!: The Cattiest Rows, Spats, and Tiffs Ever Recorded
“Preparing mentally for races through self-visualization as described by Dr. Brian enhanced our bobsled team’s physical athletic abilities and allowed us to achieve our ultimate potential — as individuals and as a team. Before reading Perceptual Intelligence, I hadn’t thought about applying Perceptual Intelligence to other areas of life, but now I will.”
— Curt Tomasevicz, Olympic gold and bronze medalist, USA bobsled
“Dr. Brian’s new book unlocks so many breakthroughs that anyone who wants to succeed must read it. If you like Malcolm Gladwell’s work or just want to see the future before it happens, like in The Matrix movies, this is a must-buy book.”
— Justin Hochberg, creator of The Profit and former producer of The Apprentice
“The ability to accept all thoughts, fears, grandiose ideas, and doubts as they are and still be able to see and choose a path objectively is the key to success. Perceptual Intelligence breaks down that process.”
— Katie Uhlaender, Skeleton World Cup champion and gold medalist
“Much material has crossed my desk over the years, and I am happy to say that Perceptual Intelligence is for everyone! Sports, sex, work, and daily living are all explored. Save yourself some time and energy reading about mindfulness in the many books being hyped to you. This one work says it all and will take you to the next level.”
— Bruce Brown, former head, William Morris Agency, West Coast Literary Department
“Steve Holcomb’s legacy was cemented thanks to Dr. Brian, and our team is indebted to him for his incredible work.”
— Steve Mesler, Olympic gold medalist, USA bobsled
“Having founded and grown multiple successful technology companies, and having been surrounded by some very talented individuals, I was always amazed at how different leaders interpret the same events or facts differently. Dr. Brian’s book, Perceptual Intelligence, clearly puts the pieces together. I will highly recommend this book to my fellow CEOs.”
— Alex Kazerani, entrepreneur and former chief technology officer for Verizon Digital Media Services
“A rollicking good read that enhances common sense and awareness, Dr. Brian’s book is a tour de force.”
— Dan Routier, head of sales for Satellites and Orbital Projects, Airbus
“Perceptual Intelligence should be required reading for all military officers — on the shelf with Sun Tzu’s The Art of War. Dr. Brian offers a roadmap to realizing the mind’s commanding potential.”
— Lieutenant Colonel Andy Hewitt, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.)
“A useful guide both personally and professionally, this book provides a tour of the factors that influence our perception, told with entertaining and straightforward examples, and the practical tools one can use to improve one’s own Perceptual Intelligence.”
— Jeremy Wacksman, chief marketing officer, Zillow Group
“Impressive. As a psychological how-to, this book is full of helpful techniques and stories that illuminate, entertain, and surprise. Dr. Brian has a knack for rendering complex medical and scientific support for his theory of Perceptual Intelligence in language that is understandable and rewarding and he is a talented storyteller.”
— Thomas Heinkel Miller, senior lecturer, Department of Communication Studies, UCLA
“Encourages the reader to challenge the way we see the world. Wonderfully written, Dr. Brian’s book is a fitting tribute to my friend and teammate, Steven Holcomb.”
— Steve Langton, Olympic bronze medalist and World Champion, USA bobsled
“Brilliant insights and clarity to help you see yourself better and identify when your perceptions might be spot-on — or leading you far astray. Perceptual Intelligence couldn’t be more timely for the chaotic world of today.”
— “Dr. Phil” McGraw, host of Dr. Phil
“Perceptual Intelligence shows how reality can be altered in a person’s mind. . . . Did wearing the same pair of socks in every decathlon I was ever in help me become a champion? I think so — and my individual perception of that ‘reality’ is all that matters.”
— Caitlyn Jenner, author of The Secrets of My Life
“We are constantly bombarded with mixed messages that can greatly influence our thinking. As such, it is very timely for Dr. Brian to address the important concept of perception. Perceptual Intelligence is a great first step in helping us understand how and why we perceive things the way we do, with the ultimate goal of making better decisions in our lives.”
— Dr. Travis Stork, ER physician and host of The Doctors
“I loved reading Dr. Brian’s book. Perceptual Intelligence is the magic that comes from preparation coupled with experience.”
— Apl.de.ap, multi-Grammy-winning musician, Black Eyed Peas
“A terrific and intelligent great read infused with unexpected sly humor. . . . Dr. Brian’s revelations will astonish you!”
— Victoria Principal, actress, entrepreneur, and founder of Principal Secret
“We can close our eyes and envision ourselves being victorious, or we can allow the floating images in our heads to make us do gullible and foolish things. Perceptual Intelligence has the power to help people find the champion and truth teller within themselves.”
— Apolo Ohno, eight-time Olympic medalist
“Perceptual Intelligence will make you reexamine how you see the world and make decisions. Through engaging and often humorous scenarios, Dr. Brian reveals the fundamentals of Perceptual Intelligence, or PI, in ways that can and should resonate with anyone with a curious mind. I see many ways this new understanding of PI can help me make better decisions in my work, home, and finances.”
— Sharon Zezima, general counsel, GoPro
“A life changer! Not only does Dr. Brian prescribe ‘corrective glasses’ to see your life more clearly and confidently, he tells you how to create the lenses yourself. I wish I’d had this book decades ago.”
— Leil Lowndes, bestselling author of How to Talk to Anyone: 92 Little Tricks for Big Success in Relationships
“I’m a big believer in Perceptual Intelligence. Without it you won’t be successful.”
— Tommy Pham, Major League Baseball player for St. Louis Cardinals
“Showing us that the more we understand our brains and thinking while competing, the better we perform, Perceptual Intelligence will help athletes and nonathletes alike perform better in sports and in life.”
— Pam Shriver, doubles tennis champion and ESPN commentator
“A must-read for any business leader or marketer who wants to drive more demand for a product or service.”
— Suzanne Saltzman Ginestro, chief marketing officer for Campbell Fresh, a Division of the Campbell Soup Company
“I found the chapters on the dynamics of social influence and how reciprocity hijacks our perceptual intelligence informative and engagingly written.”
— Robert B. Cialdini, PhD, bestselling author of Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion
“This uniquely nuanced examination of the power and pitfalls of perception will delight all who seek a greater understanding of how we view the world and the perceptions that influence every aspect of our lives. I will recommend this book to colleagues and patients alike.”
— Andrew Ordon, MD, “America’s plastic surgeon,” cohost of The Doctors, and author of Better in 7: The Ultimate Seven-Day Guide to a Better You
“By discussing how to focus yourself and heighten your PI, Dr. Brian dissects the zone and helps everyone figure out how to get there more often — hence even better performance.”
— Elana Taylor, Olympic silver and bronze medalist, USA Bobsled
“A masterpiece! Incredibly engaging with well-placed humor throughout, Perceptual Intelligence is a clear, grounded, and useful guidebook that teaches the skills we all need to enhance our lives.”
— Lisa Breckenridge, newscaster for CBS2 in Los Angeles
“Dr. Brian is expanding our view of human perception. Combining a surgeon’s precision with the power and fluency of a gifted writer, he challenges us to consider the space between what we understand intellectually and what we feel experientially, the latter of which remains resistant to any deep scientific analysis yet factors greatly in our experience of the world.”
— Khawar Siddique, MD, MBA, award-winning board-certified neurosurgeon
“Riveting and relevant! At times it boggles the mind — and when was yours last boggled? Read on!”
— Boze Hadleigh, author of Celebrity Feuds!: The Cattiest Rows, Spats, and Tiffs Ever Recorded
“Preparing mentally for races through self-visualization as described by Dr. Brian enhanced our bobsled team’s physical athletic abilities and allowed us to achieve our ultimate potential — as individuals and as a team. Before reading Perceptual Intelligence, I hadn’t thought about applying Perceptual Intelligence to other areas of life, but now I will.”
— Curt Tomasevicz, Olympic gold and bronze medalist, USA bobsled
“Dr. Brian’s new book unlocks so many breakthroughs that anyone who wants to succeed must read it. If you like Malcolm Gladwell’s work or just want to see the future before it happens, like in The Matrix movies, this is a must-buy book.”
— Justin Hochberg, creator of The Profit and former producer of The Apprentice
“The ability to accept all thoughts, fears, grandiose ideas, and doubts as they are and still be able to see and choose a path objectively is the key to success. Perceptual Intelligence breaks down that process.”
— Katie Uhlaender, Skeleton World Cup champion and gold medalist
“Much material has crossed my desk over the years, and I am happy to say that Perceptual Intelligence is for everyone! Sports, sex, work, and daily living are all explored. Save yourself some time and energy reading about mindfulness in the many books being hyped to you. This one work says it all and will take you to the next level.”
— Bruce Brown, former head, William Morris Agency, West Coast Literary Department
“Steve Holcomb’s legacy was cemented thanks to Dr. Brian, and our team is indebted to him for his incredible work.”
— Steve Mesler, Olympic gold medalist, USA bobsled
“Having founded and grown multiple successful technology companies, and having been surrounded by some very talented individuals, I was always amazed at how different leaders interpret the same events or facts differently. Dr. Brian’s book, Perceptual Intelligence, clearly puts the pieces together. I will highly recommend this book to my fellow CEOs.”
— Alex Kazerani, entrepreneur and former chief technology officer for Verizon Digital Media Services
“A rollicking good read that enhances common sense and awareness, Dr. Brian’s book is a tour de force.”
— Dan Routier, head of sales for Satellites and Orbital Projects, Airbus
“Perceptual Intelligence should be required reading for all military officers — on the shelf with Sun Tzu’s The Art of War. Dr. Brian offers a roadmap to realizing the mind’s commanding potential.”
— Lieutenant Colonel Andy Hewitt, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.)
“A useful guide both personally and professionally, this book provides a tour of the factors that influence our perception, told with entertaining and straightforward examples, and the practical tools one can use to improve one’s own Perceptual Intelligence.”
— Jeremy Wacksman, chief marketing officer, Zillow Group
“Impressive. As a psychological how-to, this book is full of helpful techniques and stories that illuminate, entertain, and surprise. Dr. Brian has a knack for rendering complex medical and scientific support for his theory of Perceptual Intelligence in language that is understandable and rewarding and he is a talented storyteller.”
— Thomas Heinkel Miller, senior lecturer, Department of Communication Studies, UCLA
“Encourages the reader to challenge the way we see the world. Wonderfully written, Dr. Brian’s book is a fitting tribute to my friend and teammate, Steven Holcomb.”
— Steve Langton, Olympic bronze medalist and World Champion, USA bobsled
October 19, 2018
Your perceptual intelligence determines how you distinguish between reality and illusion. You never perceive the world directly. Rather, your mental models filter perceptions. Your brain will work hard to construct a story to explain when something inexplicable happens. People that have low perceptual intelligence are vulnerable to peer pressure and often follow everyone else.
September 22, 2022
O carte despre inteligenta perceptiva si despre cum putem sa o îmbunătățim, despre cum ne poate afecta atitudinea mentală negativă, despre visele lucide întunecate (și eu am!!), despre pasiunea dusă la extreme, despre efectul de halo, despre spiritul de turma și despre cei care se lasă ademeniți în culte și ideologii false, despre ignorarea semnalelor intuitive. Se citește destul de repede chiar dacă eu am trenat destul de mult finalizarea ei😁
March 17, 2021
This book was interesting, I struggled with what rating to give it. It has a healthy blend of scientific studies, scientifically-backed applications, and personal philosophy. Not a problem, the book wasn't published in an academic journal, so there ought to be some wiggle room.
In the end, interesting as it may be, I found I just didn't hate Christianity enough to give it 5-stars.
In the end, interesting as it may be, I found I just didn't hate Christianity enough to give it 5-stars.
January 25, 2022
Despite some interesting tidbits on human perception, there is small section of antirussian propaganda which is later followed by sodomite propaganda. So, don't read, it's not worth it. He even attempts to justify bestiality.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews