The power of surprise : how your brain secretly changes your beliefs / Michael Rousell.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Rousell, Michael A., 1953- author.

Contributor:

Bloomsbury (Firm), publisher.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Belief and doubt.

Belief and doubt--Psychological aspects.

Surprise.

Surprise--Psychological aspects.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (x, 267 pages)

Distribution:

New York : Bloomsbury Publishing(US), 2021.

Place of Publication:

Lanham, Maryland : Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, [2021]

Summary:

Surprise evolved as a mechanism to instantly change our beliefs. Here, Michael Rousell shows how surprising events produce invisible influence because they open a window to spontaneous belief change with no warning or conscious awareness. He explores and illustrates how we can use these changes to strategically enrich our lives.

Rousell examines the rich and complex nuances of the science of surprise and shows us how we can use it strategically to enrich lives. Random events transform us. After studying formative events, moments that define us, for over three decades, Michael Rousell discovered that most of them took place during a spark of surprise. This breakthrough launched a fascinating journey from neuroscience to stand-up comedy. Rousell draws on research from a wide variety of brain science disciplines (cognition, motivation, neuroscience, psychology, artificial intelligence, persuasion, evolution, and learning), then examines those who already use surprise strategically (comedians, film directors, entertainers, magicians, and novelists). This examination illustrates the hidden, yet critical features inherent in surprise, while demystifying the complexities. Surprise evolved as a mechanism to instantly change our beliefs. Rousell shows how surprising events produce invisible influence because they open a window to spontaneous belief change with no warning or conscious awareness. You'll see how seemingly minor features of surprise create profound differences and can be used to strategically enrich lives, create positive mindsets, and maximize influence.

Contents:

We are our beliefs

How beliefs function

Maintaining strong beliefs

Who's in control, us or our bias?

Surprise : the revision reflex

Surprise is all around us

Using surprise strategically

Activating surprise

Shaping understanding

Preventing negative events

Constructive living

Final word.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 233-259) and index.

Description based on online resource; title from resource home page (ProQuest Ebook Central, viewed February 11, 2022).

ISBN:

979-82-16-42903-6

1-5381-5242-8

OCLC:

1252916586