<p><a href="http://www.sparringmind.com/psychology-books/" rel="nofollow">Sparring Mind lists an exhaustive list of the best cog sci books</a>, focusing particularly on peer influence and persuasion. </p>

<p>The books range from selp-help tips and tricks to more focused research on a particular aspect of social psychology. The best thing about some of the books listed here is that the anecdotes are not just interesting to read, but are also well grounded in published psych research. </p>

<p>Some personal favorites from this list:</p>

<ol>
<li>Cialdini's "Influence: Science and Practice"  &amp; "Yes! (50 Scientifically Proven Ways to be Persuasive)"</li>
<li>Kahneman's "Thinking, Fast and Slow"</li>
<li>Heath brother's "Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die"</li>
<li>McGonigal's "The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works"</li>
</ol>

<p>I also try to read up any new stuff that comes from Dan Ariely and Sheena Iyengar. I've found their insights very helpful to (and at times in opposition with) my day to day decision-making. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-18T03:39:44.787Z
2014-03-18T12:49:53.180Z
2014-03-18T12:49:53.180Z
Prasanta
<p>The following books are explained from a cognitive sciences perspective and rely strongly on psychology or sociology. </p>

<ul>
<li><strong>Self-help books</strong>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dale_Carnegie" rel="nofollow">Dale Carnegie</a> - Social Intelligence (empathy, emotional intelligence)</li>
<li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_Dyer" rel="nofollow">Wayne Dyer</a> - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Your_Erroneous_Zones" rel="nofollow">Your Erroneous Zones</a></li>
<li><a href="http://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/0762415339" rel="nofollow">No more Mr. Nice guy</a></li>
<li><a href="http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dale_Carnegie" rel="nofollow">Dale Carnegie</a> - How to win friends and influence people</li>
</ul></li>
<li><strong>Books about Seduction</strong>
<ul>
<li>The mystery method</li>
</ul></li>
</ul>

<p>For example one of the books about seduction speaks of <a href="http://www.simplypsychology.org/pavlov.html" rel="nofollow">Pavlovian conditioning</a>. Additionally, even though they don't often use words like "rationalization" the books are often written by psychologist.</p>

<p><strong>Are these books classified as psychology books?</strong></p>

<p><em>Further clarification</em></p>

<p>Under the name of Cognitive Sciences are going a lot topics. <br>
From very <em>low level science</em> to more applied. But the books I've cited are at a very <em>high level</em> (and since that also less verifiable). This kind of stuff is still classified as "applied psychology" or something like that?</p>

<p>They don't deal with stuff like "rationalization" but with the consequences of it. (i.e. childish behaviour, assertive behaviour, seduction, manipulation, conditioning, emotions, self-esteem handling, NLP, and so on..)</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-03-17T10:48:44.273Z
Take a look at [applied psychology](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Applied_psychology). Does that somewhat answer your question? Or on this site perhaps: [tag:clinical-psychology]
Steven Jeuris
<social-psychology><clinical-psychology>
Are most self-help books properly rooted in cognitive sciences?
Revious
# Are most self-help books properly rooted in cognitive sciences?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-03-17)

The following books are explained from a cognitive sciences perspective and rely strongly on psychology or sociology.

* **Self-help books**
  + [Dale Carnegie](http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dale_Carnegie) - Social Intelligence (empathy, emotional intelligence)
  + [Wayne Dyer](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_Dyer) - [Your Erroneous Zones](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Your_Erroneous_Zones)
  + [No more Mr. Nice guy](http://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/0762415339)
  + [Dale Carnegie](http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dale_Carnegie) - How to win friends and influence people
* **Books about Seduction**
  + The mystery method

For example one of the books about seduction speaks of [Pavlovian conditioning](http://www.simplypsychology.org/pavlov.html). Additionally, even though they don't often use words like "rationalization" the books are often written by psychologist.

**Are these books classified as psychology books?**

*Further clarification*

Under the name of Cognitive Sciences are going a lot topics.   
From very *low level science* to more applied. But the books I've cited are at a very *high level* (and since that also less verifiable). This kind of stuff is still classified as "applied psychology" or something like that?

They don't deal with stuff like "rationalization" but with the consequences of it. (i.e. childish behaviour, assertive behaviour, seduction, manipulation, conditioning, emotions, self-esteem handling, NLP, and so on..)

**Tags:** social-psychology, clinical-psychology

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Take a look at [applied psychology](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Applied_psychology). Does that somewhat answer your question? Or on this site perhaps: [tag:clinical-psychology]  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2014-03-18. Score: 2

[Sparring Mind lists an exhaustive list of the best cog sci books](http://www.sparringmind.com/psychology-books/), focusing particularly on peer influence and persuasion.

The books range from selp-help tips and tricks to more focused research on a particular aspect of social psychology. The best thing about some of the books listed here is that the anecdotes are not just interesting to read, but are also well grounded in published psych research.

Some personal favorites from this list:

1. Cialdini's "Influence: Science and Practice" & "Yes! (50 Scientifically Proven Ways to be Persuasive)"
2. Kahneman's "Thinking, Fast and Slow"
3. Heath brother's "Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die"
4. McGonigal's "The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works"

I also try to read up any new stuff that comes from Dan Ariely and Sheena Iyengar. I've found their insights very helpful to (and at times in opposition with) my day to day decision-making.


---

