Quirkology: How We Discover the Big Truths in Small Things

by ProfessorRichardWiseman (Author)

• New

  Paperback
  2008

  $21.76

  For over twenty years, psychologist Richard Wiseman has examined the quirky science of everyday life. In Quirkology, he navigates the oddities of human behavior, explaining the tell-tale signs that give away a liar, the secret science behind speed-dating and personal ads, and what a person's sense of humor reveals about the innermost workings of his or her mind--all along paying tribute to others who have carried out similarly weird and wonderful work. Wiseman's research has involved secretly observing people as they go about their daily business, conducting unusual experiments in art exhibitions and music concerts, and even staging fake seances in allegedly haunted buildings. With thousands of research subjects from all over the world, including enamored couples, unwitting pedestrians, and guileless dinner guests, Wiseman presents a fun, clever, and unexpected picture of the human mind.

• Used

  Paperback
  2007

  $3.25

  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?