The Science of Happiness

Over seven lessons, grounded in decades of studies in neuroscience and developmental psychology, The Science of Happiness tells a radical new story about the roots of well-being, with practical takeaways that show how we can all re-wire our thinking and transform our lives.

The problem with achieving happiness is the way the human mind is designed by evolution to process the world from an egocentric perspective and focus on the threats that might shorten our lives. Socially dependent on others, egocentric children grow into adults who may be less self-centred but end up becoming dissatisfied because we are prone to focus on the wrong information and comparisons when it comes to evaluating our lives.

We need to get out of our heads by connecting with others and the world around us through practices that have proven to make us happier.

BRUCE HOOD is an award-winning professor of Developmental Psychology in Society at Bristol University and the author of several books including Supersense, The Self Illusion, The Domesticated Brain and Possessed. He has appeared extensively on TV (including the prestigious BBC’s ‘Royal Institution Christmas Lectures’ in 2011), film (including ‘Living in the Future’s Past’ presented by Jeff Bridges in 2019) and radio, (including the BBC podcast ‘The Happiness Half Hour’ in 2021). He is a fellow of the American Psychological Society, the Royal Institution of Great Britain and the British Psychological Society.

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