''The most comprehensive - and delightful - guide to the human mind.'' STEPHANIE HARRISON''This little book would persuade you that psychology is not just fun but hugely important.'' PROFESSOR GEOFF BEATIEWhy do people stay in unhappy relationships?What are the six tricks for successful persuasion?Can personality traits predict future criminality?And what can pigeons tell us about superstitious behaviour?Whether you''re a student of psychology or you''re just interested in the workings of the brain, Mini Psychology offers a window onto the fascinating mysteries of the human psyche, covering everything from how our memories are formed to why some people are so resistant to change.Focusing on the curious stories behind the abstract theories, it explains the major ideas and names you need to know - and invites you to shine a light on your own inner life.More praise for Jonny Thomson:''Witty, knowledgeable and mind-expanding'' RICHARD FISHER ''Engaging, smart and wise'' DAVID MITCHELL''A fun and inspiring teaser for curious minds'' JÉRÉMIE HARRIS

''Engaging, smart and wise, Mini-Philosophy is a diverse taster menu of ideas on life, the mind and the world. Nutritious, bite-sized portions of philosophy that whet the appetite for more'' - David Mitchell, author of Cloud Atlas and The Bone Clocks Why do people enjoy watching scary movies? Should we bet on the existence of God? Why is pleasure better than pain? And when is a duck not a duck? Mini Philosophy is a fascinating journey into what some of the greatest minds of the last 2500 years have to say about the big questions in life, and why they are relevant to us today. Covering everything from Sun Tzu''s strategy for winning at board games to Freud''s insights into our ''death drive''; why De Beauvoir believed the mothering instinct is a myth to why Schopenhauer probably wasn''t much fun at parties, these mini meditations will expand your mind (and bend it too).

''Witty, knowledgeable and mind-expanding'' RICHARD FISHER | ''A joyful romp'' TOM HARFORD | ''A fun and inspiring teaser for curious minds'' JÉRÉMIE HARRISEvery so often, a new idea comes along that changes everything. Vaccinations. Relativity. Fascism. Can we imagine a world before the invention of writing? What would Christianity have looked like without with a concept of hell? Sometimes these ideas come along suddenly: Copernicus suggesting the earth revolves around the sun; Gutenberg''s printing press, Darwin''s theory of evolution. Sometimes they evolve over generations: the institution of marriage; the development of animal husbandry; the understanding of genetics. Either way, once the idea gains a foothold, nothing is the same again.This fascinating little book tells the stories behind 150 revolutionary concepts and explains why they are important. Taken from the realms of science, politics, society, religion and technology, these are the big ideas that have changed the world - in a nutshell.

''The most comprehensive - and delightful - guide to the human mind.'' STEPHANIE HARRISON''This little book would persuade you that psychology is not just fun but hugely important.'' PROFESSOR GEOFF BEATIEWhy do people stay in unhappy relationships?What are the six tricks for successful persuasion?Can personality traits predict future criminality?And what can pigeons tell us about superstitious behaviour?Whether you''re a student of psychology or you''re just interested in the workings of the brain, Mini Psychology offers a window onto the fascinating mysteries of the human psyche, covering everything from how our memories are formed to why some people are so resistant to change.Focusing on the curious stories behind the abstract theories, it explains the major ideas and names you need to know - and invites you to shine a light on your own inner life.More praise for Jonny Thomson:''Witty, knowledgeable and mind-expanding'' RICHARD FISHER ''Engaging, smart and wise'' DAVID MITCHELL''A fun and inspiring teaser for curious minds'' JÉRÉMIE HARRIS

''Engaging, smart and wise, Mini-Philosophy is a diverse taster menu of ideas on life, the mind and the world. Nutritious, bite-sized portions of philosophy that whet the appetite for more'' - David Mitchell, author of Cloud Atlas and The Bone Clocks Why do people enjoy watching scary movies? Should we bet on the existence of God? Why is pleasure better than pain? And when is a duck not a duck? Mini Philosophy is a fascinating journey into what some of the greatest minds of the last 2500 years have to say about the big questions in life, and why they are relevant to us today. Covering everything from Sun Tzu''s strategy for winning at board games to Freud''s insights into our ''death drive''; why De Beauvoir believed the mothering instinct is a myth to why Schopenhauer probably wasn''t much fun at parties, these mini meditations will expand your mind (and bend it too).

''Witty, knowledgeable and mind-expanding'' RICHARD FISHER | ''A joyful romp'' TOM HARFORD | ''A fun and inspiring teaser for curious minds'' JÉRÉMIE HARRISEvery so often, a new idea comes along that changes everything. Vaccinations. Relativity. Fascism. Can we imagine a world before the invention of writing? What would Christianity have looked like without with a concept of hell? Sometimes these ideas come along suddenly: Copernicus suggesting the earth revolves around the sun; Gutenberg''s printing press, Darwin''s theory of evolution. Sometimes they evolve over generations: the institution of marriage; the development of animal husbandry; the understanding of genetics. Either way, once the idea gains a foothold, nothing is the same again.This fascinating little book tells the stories behind 150 revolutionary concepts and explains why they are important. Taken from the realms of science, politics, society, religion and technology, these are the big ideas that have changed the world - in a nutshell.