All the Feels: 10 Top Books on Human Psychology & Human Behavior

Our mind is our greatest weapon, but discovering the best human psychology books is essential to using it effectively. Much to the contrary: in the vast majority of cases, so much of its potential remains untapped. Or, even worse, we can turn it against ourselves, using it to our own detriment. Wouldn’t it be great if we could change this regrettable state of affairs? Well, as it happens, we can!

A lot of very, very smart people have dedicated their lives to making sense of how the mind works and, best of all, they’ve written down their findings in the best human psychology books for our benefit. Read on to discover 2023’s top 10 most fascinating and illuminating books that divulge the mysteries of the human brain, teaching us how to take full advantage of the amazing organ with which we’ve all been gifted.

1. The 11 Laws of Likability: Relationship Networking … Because People Do Business with People They Like by Michelle Tillis Lederman

The axiom offered in the book’s subtitle—“people do business with people they like”—may seem self-evident, and yet, people too often fail to treat business relationships as actual relationships. The 11 Laws of Likability outlines how to form meaningful interpersonal connections with others in a professional context in order to draw the greatest advantages from business interactions.

2. How the World Sees You: Discover Your Highest Value Through the Science of Fascination by Sally Hogshead

“Hell is other people,” a French philosopher famously wrote. How the World Sees You challenges this long-standing maxim, exploring how your unique personality and the way people perceive you can be used to your own advantage. At the same time, the book also provides you with the tools necessary to better read those around you and make sure that social dynamics always work in your favor.

3. The Art of Learning: An Inner Journey To Optimal Performance by Josh Waitzkin

How’s this for credentials: Josh Waitzkin, the author of The Art of Learning, is a former child prodigy, a celebrated author, has won countless chess tournaments and holds a collection of martial arts titles! It’s safe to say you can trust this man with teaching you the fundamentals of learning, which he does with marvelous cogency in The Art of Learning, showing you how to overcome even the toughest obstacles in pursuit of your goals.

4. Reclaim Your Brain: How to Calm Your Thoughts, Heal Your Mind and Bring Your Life Back Under Control by Joseph A. Annibali, M.D.

Imbalances in our brains can give rise to such conditions as anxiety, depression and addiction, all of which are great hindrances to our success, not to mention significant sources of unhappiness in our lives. In Reclaim Your Brain, M.D. Joseph A. Annibali investigates the biological causes for such problems, coming up with effective strategies to prevent and combat them in order to keep one’s life on the right track.

5. Games People Play: The Psychology of Human Relationships by Eric Berne, M.D.

Whether consciously or not, people are constantly playing mind games with one another – it’s a natural, even if often undesirable, trait of human psychology. However, the negative impact of these games can be mitigated by learning to recognize, sidestep and counteract them. Games People Play gives you the tools for doing so, allowing you to forge deeper and more meaningful relationships with those around you.

6. Magic Words: The Science and Secrets Behind 7 Words That Motivate, Engage, and Influence by Tim David

In the majority of cases, it’s not about what you say, but about how you say it. This is especially true when you’re hoping to motivate someone to do something—one right or wrong word can make all the difference. In his persuasive and lucid book, Tim David teaches you seven ‘magic’ words that, when used correctly, will be sure to win others over to your team.

7. TED Talks: The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking by Chris Anderson

Who hasn’t watched a TED Talk and thought, “Man, this guy sure knows how to give a killer speech!”? For most people, public speaking is the ultimate phobia. And yet, there’s an eloquent orator hiding inside each of us, just waiting to be unleashed. Don’t just watch TED speakers enviously, learn their secrets and rise to the challenge—this book will show you how.

8. What to Do When You’re New by Keith Rollag

Though it might be a long time ago, most of us will remember the feeling of being the new kid at school. As adults, it’s no different. Be it a new workplace, a conference, or a party, the social anxiety (or, in some cases, the full-blown terror) returns and we might as well be children all over again. Thankfully, it’s all a matter of changing your mindset and with the techniques laid out in What To Do When You’re New, you’ll never feel awkward amongst strangers again.

9. The Seven Sins of Memory by Daniel L. Schacter

Our memory is one of our greatest assets, yet, for some people, it’s a constant source of anguish. It shouldn’t be! Even if you constantly lose your house keys or forget people’s birthdays, that’s just a natural aspect of how memory works. By delving deep into the mechanisms of memory, The Seven Sins of Memory will not only appease your worries about being too forgetful, but also show you how to overcome your handicaps.

10. The Confidence Game: Why We Fall For It . . . Every Time by Maria Konnikova

How do con artists succeed? Everyone knows pyramid schemes are frauds, and yet so many people fall for them anyway. That’s because con artists know and exploit specific flaws in how all our minds work. This fascinating book will teach you all the tricks that are used to fool others so that you’ll never let yourself be fooled again. Or, perhaps, so that you can become the world’s next big con artist”