New Year, Same Patterns? Here’s Why That’s OK.

This book, based on decades of research in psychological and biological sciences, explores the phenomenon of habituation where people stop noticing significant aspects of their lives. Sharot and Sunstein provide insights on how to 'dishabituate' by disrupting routines, changing environments, and interacting with different people. This approach helps in reigniting joy, innovating, and recognizing areas that need improvement. The authors use various examples, including how people adapt to negative and positive stimuli, to illustrate how temporary changes can restore sensitivity and enhance appreciation for both the good and the bad in life.

In 'Nudge,' Thaler and Sunstein argue that by understanding how people think, we can design 'choice architectures' that nudge people toward better decisions for themselves, their families, and society. The book introduces the concept of 'libertarian paternalism,' where gentle nudges guide people toward beneficial choices without limiting their freedom. It explores various aspects of human decision-making, including the distinction between the 'Automatic System' and the 'Reflective System' of thinking, and provides numerous examples of how nudges can be applied in real-life scenarios to improve outcomes in health, finance, and other areas.

In this book, Tali Sharot delves into the psychological and neuroscientific aspects of optimism, explaining how it is hardwired into our brains and essential for human survival. She discusses how optimism affects our perceptions, decisions, and well-being, including its role in financial, professional, and emotional choices. The book also examines the differences between the brains of optimists and pessimists and how emotions influence our ability to recall and anticipate events. Sharot presents a balanced view, highlighting both the adaptive and destructive aspects of the optimism bias.

In *The Influential Mind*, neuroscientist Tali Sharot explores the nature of influence, revealing that many of our instincts, such as relying on facts or control, are ineffective because they clash with how people's minds operate. She shows how to avoid these pitfalls by aligning influence strategies with core brain functions, highlighting the roles of emotion, curiosity, and social factors. The book provides insights into the complex power of influence, drawing on neuroscience, behavioral economics, and psychology.

The book highlights the detrimental effects of noise in various fields such as medicine, law, economic forecasting, forensic science, bail, child protection, strategy, performance reviews, and personnel selection. Noise is defined as random or chaotic deviations from targeted behavior, which can lead to inconsistent judgments even among the same individuals under different conditions. The authors provide research-based insights and practical solutions to reduce both noise and bias, aiming to improve decision-making in multiple areas of life and work.