Change the way you behave and you change the way you feel—that’s the simple and powerful message in this insightful and engaging new book by internationally renowned psychologist Richard Wiseman.Victorian philosopher William James had a theory about emotion and behavior: It isn’t that our feelings guide our actions (feel happy and you will laugh). On the contrary, it is our actions that guide our emotions (laugh and you will feel happy). This led James to a remarkable conclusion: “If you want a quality, act as if you already have it.” Roused by James’s astonishing discovery, renowned psychologist and bestselling author Richard Wiseman confirms James’s principle and shows how the self-help genre has for too long put the cart before the horse in trying to help us take control of our lives. Bringing to the table a dazzling array of firsthand experiments, surprising histories, and psychological case studies, Wiseman illustrates in brilliant detail how we can apply this principle in our daily lives: —Smile to become measurably happier —Wash your hands to drive away guilt —Clench your fist to increase your willpower —Eat with your non-dominant hand to lose weight —Nod while speaking to become more persuasive —Act like a newlywed to rekindle your marriage Lively, engaging, and truly mind-changing, The As If Principle is that rare gem that offers real, workable solutions for your day-to-day goals while helping you to instantly take control of your emotions. Whether it’s quitting a bad habit, persevering through a difficult task, or achieving your dream self, The As If Principle can help. Don’t just think about changing your life. Do it.

Product Description: Victorian philosopher William James had a theory about emotion and behavior: It isn’t that our feelings guide our actions (feel happy and you will laugh). On the contrary, it is our actions that guide our emotions (laugh and you will feel happy)...read more

Ever wondered why bad musicians always win the Eurovision Song Contest, or how incompetent politicians get elected? You need some Quirkology in your life. While other scientists beaver away on obvious problems, Richard Wiseman has been busy uncovering the secret ingredients of charisma, exploring how our personalities are shaped by when we are born and examining why people usually miss the obvious signs of their partner's infidelity. Using scientific methods to investigate offbeat topics that interest the general public as well as the scientific community, Quirkology brings a new understanding to the backwaters of the human mind and takes us to places where mainstream scientists fear to tread. Comparable to Freakonomics, but British, far more populist, and a lot funnier. Findings include: How does your surname influence your life? What does the way you walk reveal about your personality? Why should women have men write their personal ads? What is the funniest joke in the world?

Product Description: A useful manual for any magician or curious spectator who wonders why the tricks seem so real, this guide examines the psychological aspects of a magician’s work. Exploring the ways in which human psychology plays into the methods of conjuring rather than focusing on the individual tricks alone, this explanation of the general principles of magic includes chapters on the use of misdirection, sleight of hand, and reconstruction, provides a better understanding of this ancient art, and offers a section on psychics that warns of their deceptive magic skills...read more

Examines luck from a psychological perspective, drawing on interviews and experiments with more than four hundred volunteers to conclude that luck is a learned ability, in a guide that introduces four principles regarding luck.

Describes experiments the author has undertaken to test the validity of well-known psychics (view table of contents)

Product Description: So many people claim to be psychic these days. Palm readers and astrologers "see" into the future, while mediums insist they can communicate with the dead, and "psychic detectives" are brought in to help solve crimes. Faith healers and psychic surgeons attract vast audiences, and millions of TV viewers are exposed to "psychic hotlines...read more

The matriarch of the Jacksons reveals the story of the Jackson family, discussing Michael's stardom, Janet's rise to the top, LaToya's appearance in 'Playboy,' and the story of the Jackson 5