PSYCHOLOGY BOOKS

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4 Dec

Written By Rebecca Sylvia

DISCOVER THE BEST IN PSYCHOLOGY AND MEDIA
Looking to expand your understanding of psychology? Explore our curated list of essential books spanning neuroscience, cognitive psychology, clinical approaches, evolutionary insights, and psychodynamic theory. Whether it’s groundbreaking research or gripping storytelling, we’ve also handpicked must-watch films, TV series, and documentaries that bring psychology to life. Dive in and ignite your curiosity!

POPULAR PSYCHOLOGY BOOKS

50 Great Myths of Popular Psychology – Scott O. Lilienfeld, Steven Jay Lynn, John Ruscio, and Barry Beyerstein
Debunks common misconceptions in psychology, providing evidence-based explanations to clarify widespread myths about human behaviour.

Atomic Habits – James Clear
A guide on habit formation, emphasizing the impact of small, consistent changes with the "Four Laws of Behavior Change."

Bad Science – Ben Goldacre
Critiques the misuse of science and statistics in media, healthcare, and corporate sectors, promoting scientific literacy.

Cognitive Neuroscience: The Biology of the Mind – Michael S. Gazzaniga
Explores the biological processes underlying cognition and how brain function relates to mental activities.

Descartes' Error: Emotion, Reason, and the Human Brain – António Damásio
Explores the interplay between emotion and reason, emphasizing their interdependence in human cognition.

Emotional Intelligence – Daniel Goleman
Examines the role of emotional intelligence in success, relationships, and decision-making, with strategies for enhancement.

How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain – Lisa Feldman Barrett
Our brains construct emotions based on past experiences rather than being innate and universal.

Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain – David Eagleman
Explores how unconscious brain processes shape much of our behaviour.

Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion – Robert B. Cialdini
Identifies key principles of persuasion, such as reciprocity and social proof, and their applications in influencing behaviour.

Mindsight – Daniel J. Siegel
Combines mindfulness and brain science to improve emotional well-being and relationships.

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success – Carol S. Dweck
Discusses the "fixed" vs. "growth" mindsets and how adopting a growth mindset leads to greater achievement and resilience.

Outliers: The Story of Success – Malcolm Gladwell
Examines the external factors contributing to extraordinary success, such as culture and opportunity.

Predictably Irrational – Dan Ariely
Explores the predictable ways humans make irrational decisions, revealing the hidden forces influencing choices.

Principles of Neural Science – Eric R. Kandel
A foundational text covering neuroscience topics from cellular neurobiology to cognitive functions.

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking – Susan Cain
Explores the strengths of introverts and challenges societal biases favoring extroversion.

Sapiens – Yuval Noah Harari
Explores the history of humankind, focusing on the cognitive revolution, societal structures, and psychological aspects.

Superpowered: The New Science of Personal Achievement – Emily and Amelia Nagoski
Focuses on the science of burnout, resilience, and personal achievement.

The Body Keeps the Score – Bessel van der Kolk
Explores how trauma affects the body and mind, offering innovative treatments to help survivors heal.

The Brain That Changes Itself – Norman Doidge
Examines neuroplasticity through case studies, showing how the brain can adapt and reorganize in response to injuries and experiences.

The Brain: The Story of You – David Eagleman
It offers insights into how the brain shapes perception, decisions, and identity.

The Invisible Gorilla: How Our Intuitions Deceive Us – Christopher Chabris and Daniel Simons
Based on the famous "gorilla experiment" explores cognitive illusions and the limitations of human perception.

The Language Instinct – Steven Pinker
Argues that language is an innate human faculty, exploring how it develops and its universal aspects.

The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat – Oliver Sacks
A collection of neurological case studies examining conditions that reveal human perception and identity complexities.

The Power of Habit – Charles Duhigg
Explores the science of habit formation and transformation for personal and professional success.

The Power of Now – Eckhart Tolle
Highlights the importance of living in the present moment for spiritual and psychological well-being.

The Psychology of Money – Morgan Housel
Examines how emotions and cognitive biases influence financial decisions and well-being.

The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry – Jon Ronson
Investigates psychopathy and its prevalence in high-ranking societal positions.

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck – Mark Manson
It offers a counterintuitive approach to living authentically by embracing limitations and focusing on what truly matters.

The Tell-Tale Brain – V.S. Ramachandran
Explores neurological bases of human uniqueness, such as creativity, self-awareness, and language origins.

The Tipping Point – Malcolm Gladwell
Explains how small changes can lead to significant social or cultural phenomena.

They F* You Up** – Oliver James
Examines the psychological impact of parenting and family dynamics on mental health and personality development.

Thinking, Fast and Slow – Daniel Kahneman
Explores the dual systems of thought—fast, intuitive System 1 and slow, deliberate System 2—and their influence on decision-making and biases.

PSYCHOLOGY NOVELS

ALMOHAMMAD, ASAAD
An Ishmael of Syria – A harrowing psychological exploration of displacement, identity, and trauma through the eyes of a Syrian refugee.

ATWOOD, MARGARET
The Handmaid’s Tale – A dystopian psychological and social critique of power, gender, and oppression.

AUDRAIN, ASHLEY
The Push – A psychological study of motherhood, generational trauma, and inherited mental illness.

BALLARD, J.G.
Crash – A disturbing exploration of psychology, obsession, and technology.
High-Rise – Examines human behaviour when societal structures break down.

BACKMAN, FREDRIK
Anxious People – A dark comedy exploring anxiety, mental health, and human connection.

BORGES, JORGE LUIS
Labyrinths – A collection of philosophical and psychological stories questioning reality, time, and identity.

BURGESS, ANTHONY
A Clockwork Orange – Explores free will, behaviourism, and the ethics of psychological conditioning.

CAMUS, ALBERT
The Stranger – Explores existentialism, absurdism, and the detachment from social norms.

CLARK, ELIZA
Boy Parts – A dark psychological novel exploring art, obsession, and self-destruction.

COELHO, PAULO
Veronika Decides to Die – A philosophical-psychological novel questioning the meaning of life and mental illness.

DAZAI, OSAMU
No Longer Human – A deeply introspective novel that explores alienation, depression, and self-destruction in modern society.

DICK, PHILIP K.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? – Questions identity, consciousness, and what it means to be human.

DONOGHUE, EMMA
Room – A psychological drama about captivity, trauma, and a child's perspective on isolation.

DOSTOEVSKY, FYODOR
Crime and Punishment – A psychological study of guilt, morality, and redemption.
The Brothers Karamazov – Examines free will, faith, and the moral struggles of human nature.
Notes from Underground – A deep existential and psychological dive into the mind of an isolated man.

EASTON ELLIS, BRET
American Psycho – A satirical yet disturbing psychological portrait of psychopathy and consumer culture.

FINN, A.J.
The Woman in the Window – A psychological thriller examining agoraphobia, paranoia, and unreliable memory.

FISHER, MARK
Capitalist Realism – A psychological and cultural critique of how neoliberalism influences mental health and perception.

FLYNN, GILLIAN
Gone Girl – A psychological thriller examining deception, manipulation, and the dark side of relationships.
Sharp Objects – A psychological thriller dealing with self-harm, family dysfunction, and buried trauma.

FOLEY, LUCY
The Devil You Know: Encounters in Forensic Psychiatry – A forensic psychiatrist’s exploration of crime, mental illness, and morality.

GAARDER, JOSTEIN
Sophie’s World – A novel that introduces readers to the history of philosophy through an engaging mystery.

GILMAN, CHARLOTTE PERKINS
The Yellow Wallpaper – A classic short story about postpartum psychosis and gendered oppression.

GILL, NIKITA
The Girl with the Louding Voice – A novel about resilience, self-discovery, and the power of education.

GOLDING, WILLIAM
Lord of the Flies – A disturbing exploration of human nature, group psychology, and moral decay.

HAIG, MATT
The Midnight Library – A psychological exploration of regret, alternate realities, and the meaning of life.

HAWKINS, PAULA
The Girl on the Train – A psychological thriller featuring unreliable narration and themes of addiction and trauma.

HOOVER, COLLEEN
Verity – A psychological thriller that blurs the lines between reality and fiction.

HONEYMAN, GAIL
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine – A deeply psychological novel about loneliness, trauma, and human connection.

HOUELLEBECQ, MICHEL
Atomised – A pessimistic critique of society, nihilism, and individualism.

ISHIGURO, KAZUO
Never Let Me Go – A haunting novel exploring memory, identity, and the ethics of cloning.

JACKSON, SHIRLEY
We Have Always Lived in the Castle – A psychological thriller exploring isolation, paranoia, and family secrets.

JENKINS REID, TAYLOR
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo – A psychological exploration of fame, identity, and personal reinvention.

KAFKA, FRANZ
The Metamorphosis – A psychological and existential tale of alienation and absurdity.

KANG, HAN
The Vegetarian – A haunting examination of repression, identity, and societal expectations.

KAWAGUCHI, TOSHIKAZU
Before the Coffee Gets Cold – A thought-provoking novel exploring time travel and human regrets.

KEYES, DANIEL
Flowers for Algernon – A psychological science fiction novel about intelligence, identity, and human emotion.

KESEY, KEN
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest – A scathing critique of psychiatric institutions and the power dynamics of mental illness treatment.

KING, STEPHEN
The Shining – A psychological horror novel exploring isolation, madness, and personal demons.

KUNDERA, MILAN
The Unbearable Lightness of Being – A deep dive into existentialism, love, and personal freedom.

LIGOTTI, THOMAS
The Conspiracy Against the Human Race – A non-fiction horror-philosophy hybrid questioning the nature of consciousness and existence.

LOCKHART, E.
We Were Liars – A psychological coming-of-age story about memory, guilt, and deception.

MICHAELIDES, ALEX
The Silent Patient – A psychological thriller exploring trauma, silence, and the complexity of the human mind.

MOSHFEGH, OTTESSA
Eileen – A dark psychological novel about repression, loneliness, and manipulation.
My Year of Rest and Relaxation – A darkly humorous psychological novel about depression, self-destruction, and modern alienation.

MURAKAMI, HARUKI
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle – A surreal psychological exploration of identity, memory, and fate.

NAQVI, NOOR
The Details – A Booker Prize-nominated novel that examines memory, relationships, and personal identity.

NIVEN, JENNIFER
Holding Up the Universe – A YA novel delving into body image, self-acceptance, and social anxiety.

PLATH, SYLVIA
The Bell Jar – A semi-autobiographical novel detailing a young woman's descent into depression and existential crisis.

PIRSIG, ROBERT
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance – A philosophical journey that examines the nature of quality, logic, and self-discovery.

RUSHDIE, SALMAN
Midnight’s Children – A surreal exploration of memory, history, and personal identity.

RUSSELL, KATE ELIZABETH
My Dark Vanessa – An unsettling psychological novel about trauma, memory, and the complexities of abuse.

SALINGER, J.D.
The Catcher in the Rye – A classic novel about teenage alienation and psychological turmoil.

SARAMAGO, JOSE
Blindness – A thought-provoking exploration of social psychology and human nature in crisis.

SARTRE, JEAN-PAUL
Nausea – A philosophical novel exploring existentialism, freedom, and meaning.

SEBOLD, ALICE
The Lovely Bones – A psychological exploration of grief, loss, and the aftereffects of trauma.

TARTT, DONNA
The Secret History – A gripping novel about obsession, guilt, and the psychological consequences of academic elitism.

WATSON, S.J.
Before I Go to Sleep – A psychological thriller about amnesia, identity, and paranoia.

WILDE, OSCAR
The Picture of Dorian Gray – A classic novel exploring vanity, morality, and psychological corruption.

WOOLF, VIRGINIA
Mrs. Dalloway – A stream-of-consciousness novel exploring trauma, mental illness, and time.

BOOKS ON NEUROSCIENCE

ANIL SETH
Being You: A New Science of Consciousness

ANTÓNIO DAMÁSIO
Descartes' Error: Emotion, Reason, and the Human Brain
Self Comes to Mind: Constructing the Conscious Brain
The Feeling of What Happens: Body and Emotion in the Making of Consciousness

BESSEL VAN DER KOLK
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

DAVID EAGLEMAN
Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain
The Brain: The Story of You
Livewired: The Inside Story of the Ever-Changing Brain

DAVID J. LINDEN
The Accidental Mind: How Brain Evolution Has Given Us Love, Memory, Dreams, and God

ERIC R. KANDEL
Principles of Neural Science
In Search of Memory: The Emergence of a New Science of Mind

IAN MCGILCHRIST
The Master and His Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World

JEFF HAWKINS
On Intelligence
A Thousand Brains: A New Theory of Intelligence

JILL BOLTE TAYLOR
My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist's Personal Journey

JONAH LEHRER
Proust Was a Neuroscientist

JOSEPH E. LEDOUX
The Emotional Brain: The Mysterious Underpinnings of Emotional Life
Synaptic Self: How Our Brains Become Who We Are

LISA FELDMAN BARRETT
How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain
Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain

MICHAEL S. GAZZANIGA
Who's in Charge? Free Will and the Science of the Brain
Cognitive Neuroscience: The Biology of the Mind

MICHIO KAKU
The Future of the Mind: The Scientific Quest to Understand, Enhance, and Empower the Mind

NORMAN DOIDGE
The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science
The Brain's Way of Healing: Remarkable Discoveries and Recoveries from the Frontiers of Neuroplasticity

OLIVER SACKS
Awakenings
The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat
Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain
Hallucinations
Migraine
The Island of the Colorblind
Seeing Voices
Oaxaca Journal
On the Move: A Life

PETER GODFREY-SMITH
Other Minds

RICK HANSON
Buddha's Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom

ROBERT M. SAPOLSKY
Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst

SAM KEAN
The Tale of the Dueling Neurosurgeons: The History of the Human Brain as Revealed by True Stories of Trauma, Madness, and Recovery

STANISLAS DEHAENE
Consciousness and the Brain: Deciphering How the Brain Codes Our Thoughts

STEVEN JOHNSON
Mind Wide Open: Your Brain and the Neuroscience of Everyday Life

STEVEN PINKER
How the Mind Works
The Language Instinct: How the Mind Creates Language

BOOKS ON CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

RICHARD P. BENTALL
Madness Explained

PETER R. BREGGIN
Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal (with Joseph Glenmullen and Robert Whitaker)

LISA COSGROVE
Psychiatry Under the Influence (with Robert Whitaker)

R.D. LAING
The Divided Self
The Politics of Experience

BETH MACY
Dopesick

THOMAS S. SZASZ
The Myth of Mental Illness
The Manufacture of Madness

ROBERT WHITAKER
Mad in America
Anatomy of an Epidemic
Psychiatry Under the Influence (with Lisa Cosgrove)
The Case Against Antipsychotic Drugs

RVING KIRSH
The Emperor’s New Drugs: Exploding the Antidepressant Myth – Challenges the effectiveness of antidepressants using meta-analyses of clinical trials.

ALLEN FRANCES
Saving Normal – Critiques the overdiagnosis of mental disorders and the expansion of psychiatric labels.

JOANNA MONCRIEFF
The Bitterest Pills: The Troubling Story of Antipsychotic Drugs – Examines the effects of antipsychotic medications and critiques their long-term use.
The Myth of the Chemical Cure – Challenges the dominant biochemical model of mental illness.

DAVID HEALY
Let Them Eat Prozac – Investigates the marketing and influence of SSRI antidepressants.
Pharmageddon – Explores the corruption of psychiatric drug trials and the rise of prescription drug dependency.

JAMES DAVIES
Cracked: Why Psychiatry is Doing More Harm Than Good – Investigates the psychiatric industry’s influence on mental health diagnoses and treatments.

GAIL HORNSTEIN
Agnes’s Jacket – Examines the experiences of those diagnosed with mental illness and alternative recovery narratives.

NASSIR GHAEMI
A First-Rate Madness – Explores how mental illness has shaped the leadership styles of historical figures.

LOUIS A. SASS
Madness and Modernism – A philosophical and psychological examination of schizophrenia through art and literature.

ANTHONY DAVID & SIMON WESSELY
Unbalanced Minds – A leading clinical perspective on the nature and treatment of psychosis.

BRETT J. DEACON
The Biomedical Model of Mental Disorder – Critically assesses the dominant biomedical explanations of psychiatric disorders.

MATTHEW BROOME & LISA BORTOLOTTI
Psychiatry as Cognitive Neuroscience – Explores the intersection of philosophy, neuroscience, and psychiatry.

GLEN O. GABBARD
Psychodynamic Psychiatry in Clinical Practice – A widely used textbook exploring the psychodynamic treatment of mental disorders.

BRUCE E. WAMPOLD
The Great Psychotherapy Debate – Challenges the notion that specific therapies are superior, arguing for the importance of therapeutic relationships.

PATRICK HAHN
Prescription for Sorrow – Investigates the darker side of antidepressants and their role in adverse mental health outcomes.

BOOKS ON EVOLUTIONARY THEORY

E.O. WILSON
Sociobiology: The New Synthesis
Consilience: The Unity of Knowledge
Founder of sociobiology, the precursor to evolutionary psychology.

DAVID M. BUSS
The Evolution of Desire: Strategies of Human Mating
Evolutionary Psychology: The New Science of the Mind

LEDA COSMIDES & JOHN TOOBY
The Adapted Mind: Evolutionary Psychology and the Generation of Culture

GEOFFREY MILLER
The Mating Mind: How Sexual Choice Shaped the Evolution of Human Nature

HELEN FISHER
Why We Love: The Nature and Chemistry of Romantic Love

ROBIN DUNBAR
Grooming, Gossip, and the Evolution of Language

SARAH BLAFFER HRDY
Mother Nature: Maternal Instincts and How They Shape the Human Species
The Woman That Never Evolved

ROBERT TRIVERS
Social Evolution
The Folly of Fools: The Logic of Deceit and Self-Deception in Human Life

MICHAEL TOMASELLO
The Cultural Origins of Human Cognition

PASCAL BOYER
Religion Explained: The Evolutionary Origins of Religious Thought

DAVID C. GEARY
Male, Female: The Evolution of Human Sex Differences

LAYMAN BOOKS ON EVOLUTIONARY THEORY