The best 100 Social Psychology books

In The Happiness Hypothesis, Jonathan Haidt examines the ideas of famous ancient thinkers in light of modern knowledge and uses scientific findings to answer the question, “What makes a person happy?” The book will provide you with a better understanding of human social behavior and enable you to increase your own happiness.

Willful Blindness (2011) is about a common phenomenon through which humans block out the uncomfortable realities of the world. These blinks explain how and why people so often fail to see what’s right in front of their noses and outlines the steps we can all take to open our eyes to the truth.

Discipline & Punish (1975) is a celebrated work of renowned French philosopher and sociologist Michel Foucault. Foucault studies the history of forms of power, punishment, discipline and surveillance from the French Ancien Régime through to more modern times, seeing it as a reflection of a changing society.

When (2018) combs through around 700 scientific studies to get a better understanding of how big a role timing plays in our lives. Daniel H. Pink sifts through data from the fields of economics, anthropology, social psychology and others, giving the reader a thorough look at why we make the decisions we do, and why we make them when we do.

The Asshole Survival Guide (2017) is a guide to how you can identify and deal with the assholes of the world. People who treat others badly come in all shapes, sizes and levels of awfulness, and the author provides the tools we need to recognize them, fight back and avoid becoming assholes ourselves.

Why Does He Do That? (2003) reveals the psychology behind abusive men. Drawing on his experience as a counselor to male abusers, author Lundy Bancroft explains the nature of abusive thinking, the early warning signs of abuse, and the steps women can take to free themselves from an abusive relationship.

Man and His Symbols (1964) was the final work of the influential psychologist Carl Jung, and the only one written for a general audience. It breaks down some of Jung’s most complex ideas, such as his theories about archetypes and the unconscious, and it explores the vast expanse of symbols and stories that dwell within our minds.

Human Hacking (2021) is a guide to the art of ethical social engineering. Using the same tools of psychology and influence deployed by security hackers, it demonstrates how to boost social interactions in daily life. It covers a range of tips on how to adjust your natural communication tendencies to steer encounters to your advantage, with practical tools on how to influence others using empathy and compassion.

Beyond Order (2021) is a prescription for how to navigate the complexities of modern life. While Peterson’s previous work warned of the danger of excessive chaos, this new guide to living details the perils of too much rigid order.

Power Hour (2020) introduces a way to take charge of your life by devoting the first hour of each day to a goal or passion. In today’s busy world, it’s easy to procrastinate. Instead of waiting for the perfect time to pursue a goal, you have to make time to do it. One hour each day can change your attitude, habits, health, and social connections – and these changes can lead to a more fulfilling and productive life. 

Wanting (2021) provides a riveting, philosophical answer to the question Why do we want the things we want? Drawing on theories originally developed by the celebrated polymath René Girard, it reveals an uncomfortable truth: that our desires are all ultimately a product of other people’s desires. The point isn’t to eliminate them,⁠ but rather to choose, carefully and consciously, which ones we should actually strive for. 

The Sweet Spot (2021) is a refreshing antidote to all the books we read about being positive at all costs. It argues that negative experiences like pain, suffering, and discomfort are not something to be shied away from. In fact, they can add value to our lives. Instead of trying to avoid discomfort, we need to find the right discomfort. That is, the kind of challenge that makes our lives meaningful. 

Everyday Vitality (2021) explores how we can cultivate resilience while juggling the small, nonstop stresses of everyday life. Those who thrive do so because they build vitality, a force of power and flexibility that allows them to handle difficulties. The people who cope best are the ones who find ways to turn their stress into strength through intentionality, purpose, and connection.

The Daily Laws (2021) is a compendium of 366 rules for life, covering everything from seduction and power to the discovery of your life’s great task. It distills the insights author Robert Greene has uncovered in a series of best-selling books spanning 22 years of word.

Drunk (2021) is a scientific and historical inquiry into the evolutionary reasons why humans started getting drunk. Drunk examines how inebriation helped our ancestors evolve into creative, communal, cultural beings, and considers whether or not alcohol is an appropriate tool for the modern age.

In the audio version of these blinks, you'll hear "Also Sprach Zarathustra," composed by Richard Strauss, made available under a Creative Commons Attribution license by Kevin MacLeod. Thanks, Kevin! 

You Are Your Best Thing (2021) is an anthology of original essays that explore Black experiences of living, loving, and parenting in America today. It examines concepts like vulnerability and shame, and shows that the key to personal healing lies in confronting white supremacy and the racist systems that make Black people feel unsafe in their communities. 

Wired for Love (2012) is a guide to maintaining closeness and emotional security within romantic partnerships. It uses research from neurobiology and psychology to show why long-term couples come into conflict, and it offers practical tips on how to use knowledge about brain functions to promote peace and mutual security in your relationship.

Toward a Psychology of Being (1962) expands on famed psychologist Abraham Maslow's pivotal theories of motivation and self-actualization, which were first introduced in Maslow's 1954 book, Motivation and Personality. It presents a series of hypotheses about the human condition, dealing with important questions about people’s innate desires, the nature of well-being, and the process of psychological growth.

Big Feelings (2022) is a guide to coping with some of the toughest emotions we ever face, from anger to despair. By acknowledging and facing up to these emotions, it’s possible to work through them.

Dopamine Nation (2021) explores the connection between pleasure and pain. Our modern world is filled with more dopamine-inducing stimuli than ever – including everything from drugs and sex to smartphones and shopping. Citing years of clinical experience and patients’ stories, this book helps to understand addiction and explains how to achieve a healthy balance in our lives. 

Scattered Minds (1999) takes aim at a well-established myth: that attention deficit disorder, or ADD for short, is an inherited illness. It doesn’t deny the biological foundations of the disorder – genes also play a role. But it urges us to widen our perspective and pay closer attention to psychological and social factors that may be contributing to the symptoms. ADD often develops within specific familial and societal contexts. Recognizing this isn’t just about correcting the scientific record – it offers a key to effective treatment.

The Rational Male (2013) implores men to adopt a pragmatic view of intersexual relationships founded on evolutionary and behavioral concepts. Waking up to the evidence, it argues, will set men on a course to prioritizing their needs over the survival instincts of women who currently (covertly) rule the roost.

The Evolution of Desire (1994) drew on the largest study of human mating at the time to analyze the evolutionary foundations that lie behind our everyday desires and mating preferences. It was updated with new material in 2016.

Awe (2023) is a deep dive into this elusive emotion. Drawing on new research, it shows how awe can improve your mood, well-being, cognitive abilities, and relationships with others. 

Crime and Punishment (1866) is considered one of the greatest masterpieces of Russian literature. It follows a young man called Rodion Raskolnikov – first as he plots to kill an elderly pawnbroker, then as he commits the deed, and finally as he confronts the many consequences of his actions. Emotionally poignant as well as philosophically and psychologically complex, the novel has left a visible mark on generations of writers, thinkers, and artists ever since its publication.

How Big Things Get Done (2023) explores what it takes to make large-scale projects work. It tackles tough questions like why so many big projects fail, and what makes the ones that succeed stand out from the rest. With real-life success stories as well as cautionary tales, its lessons can be applied to projects of any size, shape, or form. 

What’s Our Problem (2023) offers a fun and unique perspective on the strange state of the modern world in which we live. Using the author’s iconic comedic style, it draws on observations from political theory, psychology, history, and modern-day events to explain what is going on in our society, and what we can potentially do to fix it.

Reset (2023) is a guide to change for anyone who feels stuck. Drawing on Scripture and her experience as a counselor, Debra Fileta unpacks the psychology behind behavioral patterns and presents simple yet effective daily habits to kickstart change and healing. 

Psych (2023) offers an informed, insightful, and approachable overview of psychology, starting with its origins and earliest thought leaders to the most recent findings in modern practice. Based on the author’s popular Introduction to Psychology course developed for Yale University, it uses lively storytelling and studies to easily relate the complex science of the human mind.

Read People Like a Book (2020) unravels the complex tapestry of human behavior, guiding readers to decipher verbal and non-verbal signals broadcast by people 24/7. Marrying scholarly wisdom to sly real-world tales, the book presents the art and science of people-reading with both flair and finesse. Dive in, and soon you'll be navigating human interactions like a seasoned anthropologist.

The Trial ( 1925 ) tells the distressing story of Josef K. who wakes up one morning to find he’s under arrest for an unnamed offense. As cryptic legal proceedings unfold around him, K. struggles to make sense of his predicament or convince others of his innocence. It’s a  disturbing parable that raises philosophical questions about personal dignity and free will when pitted against entrenched bureaucracies.

Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain (2020) is an engaging exploration of the human brain that debunks numerous misconceptions along the way. It explains what brains are actually for, how they develop, what makes them unique, and why they’re often one step ahead of everything you do.

Don't Overthink It (2020) unveils the mental entanglements that come with constant rumination, highlighting how overthinking can rob us of time and precious moments. Drawing on her own experience as an overthinker, Anne Bogel provides readers with tangible solutions to break free from the chains of repetitive, negative thought patterns. 

Wired for Intimacy (2010) is a practical and hopeful guide for Christian men looking to find freedom from pornography. Combining science and spirituality, it reveals how pornography affects the male brain and provides hands-on solutions to redeem modern masculinity.

Infinite Jest (1996) is considered a classic of postmodern literature. It weaves together a dizzying story of dozens of characters who are struggling to get by in a lonely, technologically oversaturated world. It also deals with the subjects of substance abuse and recovery in a deep and meaningful way.

How to Know a Person (2023) challenges us to set aside our egos and look beyond people’s superficial traits to really get to know them: their stories, their passions, their motivations, and more. It acknowledges that being able to see someone and make them feel seen is hard –⁠ and yet it’s essential for cultivating healthy relationships. Fortunately, with some dedication, we can all learn how to have healthier, deeper conversations; give people quality attention; and see people in all their delightful complexity.

Tiny Humans, Big Emotions (2023) helps caregivers navigate and manage children's emotional outbursts, such as tantrums and meltdowns. It offers strategies to raise emotionally intelligent children by teaching them how to handle complex feelings like anger, sadness, and anxiety, emphasizing the importance of fostering emotional resilience and well-being in children through a research-based approach that strengthens the parent-child relationship.

Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds (1841) looks at how social manias and mass delusions sweep through societies, revealing the underlying patterns that drive everything from financial bubbles to witch hunts. Through vivid historical examples, it shows how normally sensible people can be swept up in collective madness, leading to devastating real-world consequences. 

Escape from Freedom (1941) examines the paradox of human freedom: though it is cherished, increased freedom also brings anxiety, responsibility, and a quest for surrendering individuality, which human history and individual development vividly illustrate.

Othello (c. 1603) stands as one of Shakespeare’s most renowned tragedies. It tells the story of a respected military commander who is manipulated into questioning the loyalty of the woman he loves—setting in motion a chain of events with devastating consequences. With its powerful themes of love, betrayal, race, and revenge, the play remains strikingly relevant even today.

The Winner’s Curse (2025) revisits influential essays on behavioral economics originally published decades ago, examining how these findings about human economic irrationality have held up over time. It demonstrates that people consistently deviate from the rational economic behavior predicted by traditional theory, making systematic errors across the board, from auctions and financial markets, to everyday transactions.

A Treatise of Human Nature (1740) is a seminal work of philosophy that seeks to understand human nature through reason. With razor-sharp skepticism, it dissects the origins of our ideas, the nature of causality, and the concept of personal identity, arguing that humans are guided by passion over reason. Laying bare the limits of human knowledge and morality, this philosophical classic forever altered the landscape of Western thought. 

The End of Bias: How We Change Our Minds (2021) delves into the science of unconscious bias, its effects on society, and the ways we can address and overcome these ingrained prejudices. It explores how habitual biases, even those not consciously endorsed, influence behavior and perceptions, and presents strategies for changing these automatic patterns of thought.

Pride and Prejudice (1813) is the classic story of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy, a couple who must overcome all manner of social and financial obstacles – including their own initial dislike of each other – to find lasting love.

First released in 1759, The Theory of Moral Sentiments examines empathy as the primary driving force behind moral judgment, influencing everything from personal relationships to societal norms.

It’s Not You (2024) delves into the complexities of narcissistic personality traits and their devastating effects on personal and professional relationships. With a compassionate and pragmatic approach, it offers strategies and insights to help navigate these challenging dynamics.

Possible (2024) introduces a groundbreaking strategy for confronting the increase in conflicts that threaten aspects of daily life, from personal relationships to global dynamics. It posits that by engaging with conflict constructively, you can unlock the potential for creative problem-solving and strengthen relationships. This approach will equip you with the tools to transform adversarial interactions into cooperative successes, paving the way for progress in every aspect of your life.

You, Happier (2024) is a guide to achieving lasting happiness and well-being by understanding and adapting to your own specific brain type. Packed with practical strategies and science-backed insights, it offers a roadmap to improving brain health and unlocking the keys to feeling good, both mentally and physically.

The Genius of Empathy (2024) explores the transformative power of empathy in various aspects of life, including personal relationships and professional environments. It delves into practical techniques to cultivate empathy, aiming to enhance emotional intelligence and foster deeper connections with others.

New Happy (2024) challenges the conventional notion that personal success leads to happiness, revealing that true joy comes from helping others and living a life of purpose. Through a blend of art and science, it guides you to dismantle society’s false definition of happiness, uncover your unique gifts, and use them to improve both your life and the world around you.

Anarchy, State, and Utopia (1974) argues that the only justified government is a very limited one that protects people from force, theft, and fraud, and enforces agreements. It says that what you fairly acquire and freely trade should remain yours, and challenges plans to reshuffle who has what by design because they demand constant control over everyday choices.

The Introvert’s Way (2012) is a guide to living well as an introvert in what feels like an extrovert’s world. Introverts should aim to accept themselves as they are, while using strategies to manage their energy and navigate tricky social situations.

How to Hug a Porcupine (2009) provides practical advice on how to navigate relationships with difficult and challenging people. It explores strategies for fostering empathy, improving communication, and developing patience to create more harmonious interactions. By understanding the behavior of “porcupines,” you can learn to build healthier and more effective relationships.

Of Boys and Men (2022) explores the complex challenges that boys and men encounter in today’s society. Tackling these problems, Richard Reeves argues, requires a shift in our perspective on gender issues. Supporting males to overcome challenges doesn’t detract from the pursuit of gender equality – it complements it and helps foster a more equitable and inclusive world.

Autism (1989) presents pioneering theories on how individuals with autism perceive and process information, revolutionizing our understanding of the autism spectrum and paving the way for more effective support and intervention strategies. 

When the Clock Broke (2024) delivers a fascinating look into the years leading up to the 1992 Presidential Election, between Bill Clinton, Ross Perot, and the incumbent George H.W. Bush. It reveals how a relatively small movement took root and began to transform the Republican Party into a more populist and authoritarian version of conservatism. It also shows why this approach appeals to the disaffected groups in America.

Hope For Cynics (2024) explores the widespread cynicism in modern society and its detrimental effects. It argues that this pessimistic worldview is often misplaced, as people tend to underestimate the kindness and generosity of others. It proposes “hopeful skepticism” as an antidote to cynicism, encouraging you to think critically while recognizing human strengths.

The Parasitic Mind (2020) examines how certain ideologies have infiltrated modern society, threatening reason, freedom, and intellectual diversity. It explores how these “idea pathogens” spread from universities to politics, business, and culture, leading to emotional thinking and intellectual conformity. It argues for a return to critical thinking, science, and free speech to combat these harmful beliefs.

The Sublime Object of Ideology (1989) explores how ideology shapes our perception of reality and influences our desires, even in a supposedly post-ideological world. The book examines the unconscious structures underlying our beliefs, the nature of social and political symptoms, and the paradoxical enjoyment we derive from ideological systems, offering a fresh perspective on how meaning is constructed in society. 

Habits of a Peacemaker (2024) provides practical habits to help individuals engage in productive, respectful conversations, even on divisive topics. It emphasizes building relationships through open dialogue and offers tools for managing challenging discussions with civility and understanding. By fostering these habits, you can bridge divides and bring peace to your personal and professional life.

The Righteous Mind (2012) explores how moral decisions are made, concluding that moral judgments stem from intuitions, not logic. The author draws on his background in social psychology and 25 years of groundbreaking research to explain how morality both binds us and divides us and how religion and politics create conflicting communities of shared morality.

Revenge of the Tipping Point (2024) is the long-anticipated follow-up to Malcolm Gladwell’s debut, The Tipping Point. A study of virality and contagion, it interweaves startling case studies and perplexing puzzles to illuminate our age of social upheaval. 

On Gaslighting (2024) explores the concept of gaslighting as a distinctive form of manipulation that undermines a person’s ability to trust their own perceptions, reasoning, and emotions. Through the lens of contemporary philosophy this text analyzes the conception, tools, and implications of gaslighting, linking this psychological phenomenon to broader social issues like racism, sexism, and trust in relationships.

Why We Do What We Do (1995) explores the science of human motivation, focusing on what drives people to act and how external influences shape their behavior. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, manager, or simply curious about human behavior, it offers transformative insights into fostering growth, collaboration, and authentic success in every area of life. 

The Science of Evil (2011) seeks to understand what causes people to be cruel to one another. Doing away with the unscientific concept of “evil,” it suggests that the deeds we commonly associate with that word can be better explained by an absence of empathy. Cruelty, it argues, becomes possible when we lose sight of others’ humanity and treat them as mere objects. 

The Narcissist's Playbook (2019) is a guide to recognizing, understanding, and breaking free from the manipulation and abuse of narcissists, sociopaths, and psychopaths. It offers practical tools for identifying manipulative behaviors, understanding why they occur, and empowering their targets to protect themselves and reclaim control of their lives.

Think Like a Psychologist (2021) delves into the intricate dynamics of human behavior, emotions, and decision-making. By unpacking key psychological principles and uncovering the motivations driving actions, it offers practical tools and techniques to foster self-awareness, cultivate empathy, and strengthen your understanding of others.

5 Types of People Who Can Ruin Your Life (2018) explores high-conflict personalities – those with borderline, narcissistic, paranoid, antisocial, or histrionic traits – who create chaos and harm through volatile emotions, aggression, and blame. It provides actionable advice for protecting yourself, building healthier relationships, and even addressing your own tendencies toward high-conflict behavior.

Better Small Talk (2020) is a practical guide to mastering the art of meaningful conversations. It offers actionable strategies for every stage of dialogue, from breaking the ice to fostering deeper connections. Whether speaking with strangers or familiar faces, it provides tools to engage confidently, leave lasting impressions, and transform small talk into impactful exchanges.

Ritual (2022) explores the profound role rituals play in human life, from everyday celebrations to dramatic rites of passage. Using insights from cutting-edge research, it uncovers how rituals shape behavior, foster connection, provide meaning, and define our common humanity.

How to Speed Read People (2020) teaches you how to interpret the body language and emotions of others quickly, enabling you to understand unspoken cues and enhance your interactions. By mastering these skills, you can build stronger relationships, improve communication, and influence others effectively.

Our New Social Life (2024) offers a fresh approach to building meaningful relationships with practical, research-backed techniques. Whether you’re navigating a new environment, overcoming modern distractions, or craving deeper connections, this guide equips you with tools to create lasting, meaningful relationships. Say goodbye to isolation and hello to a richer, more connected life.

The Siren’s Call (2025) explores the unsettling reality of the modern attention economy, where powerful forces relentlessly compete for our focus. It reveals how this struggle shapes everything from politics to culture, all while fostering an environment that deepens alienation and dissatisfaction.

Emotional Ignorance (2023) explores why we have emotions and what purpose they serve in our lives. Written from a neuroscientific perspective, it examines the evolutionary reasons behind our emotional responses and investigates how these powerful feelings shape our behaviors and decisions despite their seemingly irrational nature.

Geography of Time (1997) takes you on a fascinating journey across cultures, revealing how different societies perceive and experience time – whether it’s the fast-walking streets of New York or the laid-back rhythms of rural Brazil. It uncovers the hidden forces shaping our daily lives and may just change the way you think about time itself.

The Ellipsis Manual (2017) reveals the hidden psychological patterns that influence people's thoughts and behaviors without their awareness. It explores how natural mental processes can be leveraged through systematic frameworks to guide decision-making, and how understanding these techniques can also provide protection against unwanted persuasion. 

Shame on You (2025) investigates how patriarchal systems weaponize shame against women, making them feel fundamentally unworthy while paradoxically punishing them for internalizing this unworthiness. Through investigative reporting, scientific research, and personal stories, it exposes shame's toxic impact on women's relationships, careers, and self-perception, while also offering a blueprint for becoming shame-resilient.

The Social Brain (2023) investigates how human connection drives team performance, trust, and resilience in modern organizations. Drawing on insights from psychology, anthropology, and organizational design, it offers practical guidance for shaping group dynamics, building strong relationships, and creating environments where people thrive.

Status Games (2021) explores how the pursuit of social status drives much of human behavior, tracing these instincts back to our brain’s evolutionary roots. It explains how our brains reward status-seeking with feel-good chemicals like serotonin, shaping the way we interact, compete, and compare ourselves to others. 

The Science of Revenge (2025) explores how the desire for vengeance functions like an addictive behavior, hijacking the brain’s reward system much like drugs do. It combines neuroscience, psychology, and real-life stories to explain why people become consumed by revenge – and how they can break free from its grip.

Invisible Rivalry (2025) explores the interplay between human cooperation and competition. Drawing on multiple disciplines including biology and anthropology, it argues that rather than being purely cooperative or competitive, human motivation is a blend of both. It suggests we address our tendency toward self-interest to help create the best society we can. 

Strangers and Intimates (2025) traces the evolution of private life from ancient Athens through the Victorian era to our digital present, arguing that privacy is a historical construct rather than a natural right. It examines key transformations including Luther’s development of individual conscience, the Victorian cult of domesticity, and the 1970s feminist movement’s politicization of personal experience. 

Like (2025) examines the flexible cultural and linguistic power of the word “like,” tracing its evolution from slang to a versatile tool in everyday conversation. It argues that, far from being meaningless filler, “like” helps shape social connection, soften emotional expression, and add nuance to dialogue. It also highlights how the stigma around its use reflects broader societal biases against women, youth, and marginalized speech communities as a whole.

The Likeability Trap (2019) examines how approval-seeking behaviors trap ambitious professionals in cycles of burnout and diminished influence. With both honesty and encouragement, it offers practical strategies for transforming people-pleasing habits into authentic communication skills that command genuine respect.

The Age of Diagnosis (2025) argues that modern medicine and culture have become increasingly fixated on labels, expanding categories of illness in ways that can overpathologize everyday experience. It examines how the search for a name – across conditions from neurodiversity to persistent, unexplained symptoms – shapes care, community, and identity, sometimes helping and sometimes harming. It ultimately calls for a more cautious, context-aware approach that balances the relief of diagnosis with the risks of stigma, overtreatment, and misplaced certainty.

The Ten Types of Humans (2025) is an epic exploration of the hidden forces that drive human behavior in extreme situations, from courtrooms to conflict zones. Drawing on neuroscience, psychology, and real-world cases, it examines the full spectrum of what people are capable of when facing life's most difficult decisions. This investigation reveals why we act as we do under pressure and offers fresh insights into our potential for both remarkable compassion and terrible harm.

The Ostrich Paradox (2017) explores why individuals and communities consistently fail to prepare adequately for disasters despite having access to unprecedented information and resources. It identifies six cognitive biases that lead to grave errors in disaster preparedness – and proposes a new approach for recognizing them, as well as designing strategies that work to counter them.

Charlatans (2025) examines why smart people fall for obvious scams by dissecting the psychological drivers and technological vulnerabilities that make everyone a potential target for exploitation. It explores how digital-age charlatans use the same basic playbook as historical con artists but now operate at a viral, global scale through social media and emerging technologies.

Respect (2025) argues that restoring everyday respect – toward yourself and others – is a practical, learnable behavior with outsized effects on workplaces, families, and communities. You will find specific mindsets and strategies to model civility, manage disagreement, and build trust, turning abstract concepts into daily habits.

Girl on Girl (2025) investigates how pop culture sold a generation of women a damaging lie: that their objectification was empowerment. It traces how 90s postfeminism, the rise of porno chic, and the explosion of the gossip industry created a culture of self-surveillance that still shapes how we understand female power, value, and ambition today.

Warhead (2025) explores war from a neuroscience perspective. By studying the brain, we can gain a deeper understanding of why people fight each other, how people behave during conflict, and to what extent war is inevitable.

The Secret of Our Success (2015) explores why humans dominate Earth despite being individually weaker and less capable than many other species. It argues that our success stems from cumulative cultural evolution – the ability to learn from others and build on knowledge accumulated across generations. It reveals how this process has shaped not just our societies but our very biology, from our oversized brains to our shrunken guts.

Why We Drink Too Much (2025) reveals why some people can drink socially while others spiral into dependence. It explores how alcohol hijacks ancient survival circuits in the brain, traces the spectrum from casual consumption through grey area reliance to full dependence, and explains why the answer lies in genetics and life experiences rather than weak willpower. It offers 12 science-backed principles for anyone ready to change their relationship with alcohol, from initial abstinence through to lasting sobriety.

The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life (1956) is a classic sociological study. Using the language and imagery of the theater, it examines the intricacies of human behavior in social settings.

The Intimate Animal (2026) blends evolutionary biology, psychology, and social science to explain why humans crave deep connection and how our drives for love, sex, and intimacy shape the arc of romantic relationships. It reveals that while we’re wired for social bonds essential to survival, conflicting impulses –⁠ like the tension between social and sexual monogamy –⁠ make modern love complex. Ultimately, it offers insights into navigating attraction, commitment, heartbreak, and connection.

Why We Click (2026)  reveals the hidden science of interpersonal synchrony – the unconscious process where our bodies align with others through matching heart rates, movements, and neural patterns – explaining why some people energize us while others leave us exhausted. By understanding this powerful phenomenon, we can learn to foster beneficial connections that enhance our wellbeing while protecting ourselves from draining interactions that threaten our sense of self.

Everything Is Obvious offers insights into the failures of the most commonly used method of explaining human behavior: common sense. By offering sound solutions to common sense reasoning, it gives the reader the tools to better attempt to understand human behavior.

It’s Complicated (2014) reveals that teenage social media use is far more sophisticated than adults assume, with young people developing complex strategies to manage identity, privacy, and social relationships in networked spaces where all their audiences collapse together. The real dangers aren't the ones dominating headlines – predators, addiction, cyberbullying – but rather how adult panic and protectionism prevent teenagers from developing the skills they need to navigate digital life thoughtfully and safely. 

Revealing (2026) investigates the delicate balance between keeping secrets and opening up to build meaningful trust. You'll discover how to find the Goldilocks sweet spot of disclosure and use it to build deeper connections in your relationships and career. By letting go of the fear of oversharing, you give yourself the chance to be authentically known and accepted.

Waiting for Dawn (2026) is a personal and research-grounded guide to navigating uncertainty, loss, and pain with grace and compassion. Drawing on a particularly brutal two-year stretch that included the loss of a family member, a cousin's murder, and a battle with long COVID, the book explores how to stay committed to hope even when daily pain makes that feel impossible. It makes the case that self-compassion and self-preservation are the real tools for moving from a place of instability toward healing.