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How Emotions Are Made cover art

How Emotions Are Made

Written by: Lisa Feldman Barrett
Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell
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Publisher's Summary

“Fascinating... A thought-provoking journey into emotion science.” - Wall Street Journal

“A singular book, remarkable for the freshness of its ideas and the boldness and clarity with which they are presented.” - Scientific American

“A brilliant and original book on the science of emotion, by the deepest thinker about this topic since Darwin.” - Daniel Gilbert, best-selling author of Stumbling on Happiness

The science of emotion is in the midst of a revolution on par with the discovery of relativity in physics and natural selection in biology. Leading the charge is psychologist and neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett, whose research overturns the long-standing belief that emotions are automatic, universal, and hardwired in different brain regions. Instead, Barrett shows, we construct each instance of emotion through a unique interplay of brain, body, and culture. A lucid report from the cutting edge of emotion science, How Emotions Are Made reveals the profound real-world consequences of this breakthrough for everything from neuroscience and medicine to the legal system and even national security, laying bare the immense implications of our latest and most intimate scientific revolution.

“Mind-blowing.” - Elle

“Chock-full of startling, science-backed findings... An entertaining and engaging read.” - Forbes

©2017 by Lisa Feldman Barrett. (P)2016 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

What listeners say about How Emotions Are Made

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Love science

I am a big fan of neuroscience and research. This book is great at sharing complex concepts in simple form and through various research studies. I really enjoyed listening to it. #Audible1

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an incredible work of science and compassion.

you just need to read or listen to this book. it could be world and life changing - if we let it be. we are the architects of our experience, and it really truly matters how we treat others.

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We are not as reactively oriented as I thought

We are prediction machines... Check this out and let Barrett's hypothesis turn your paradigm upside down.

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2 people found this helpful

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Great book

This book will change the way you think about the brain structure and how it operates.

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    5 out of 5 stars

Emotions - More than you thought.

Provocative introduction to the relationships between concepts, emotions, and the brain. High level popular science written by an expert that cares about her readers.

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Good Read/Listen

Not completely persuaded, but interested to learn more and to see where the research takes us. I do agree that we need to reconsider the impact of these findings on the legal system both on the side of the perpetrator and the victim. One seems to believe they have the concept they have the right to do wrong, and the other has the concept they have the right to call wrong on thier feelings more than facts.

Reading seemed a bit condescending at times although perhaps not intended by the writer.

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Fantastic book. Must read

Every one should read this book at-least twice.
Can’t wait for more studies. Must read.

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  • Ami
  • 2021-04-17

amazing; learn something new in every chapter

Really loved this book. Best non-fiction I have read in a long while. A lot to reflect on. Narration is great and the author uses a lot of great examples and slow progression to teach the different concepts. I love the idea of the brain as a simulator/prediction machine. Emotions are abstract predictions/concepts that allow the body to account for its internal state (i.e. introception) and navigate our social world. I think the discussions on affect and body budget are great for anyone stuck in a funk (depression, anxiety, or early childhood trauma). The author gives practical tips for emotional control/balance including diet, excercise, reading, etc. Its an empowering chapter. The chapter on law is so-so in my opinion as it feels very postmodern, and interestingly/seemingly unique from Eagleman's neuroscience overview, Incognito. The chapter on animals and emotions is very interesting, especially if you have pets. But thought provoking for anyone interested in categorizing humanity relative to the rest of the animal kingdom. We're apparently not uniquely rational beings able to control our animal/emotional brain; emotionality is instead a uniquely human social construct developed through our equally unique ability to use language and goal setting/prediction. And theres lots of additional history and psychology, and neuroscience. Apparantly if a tree falls in a forest and nobody is around to hear it, the tree counterintuitively does not make a sound! There are no ears around to interpret the air movement/pressure into sound. Neat! Highly recommended!!

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Phenomenal book.

Incredible book and content. Some may not believe, but so much of it is easily relatable and the proof seems to be there. At the very least, some of the social implications are impossible to debate.

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Fantastic. Must listen

This is absolutely fantastic
I cannot recommend this enough
This book has inspired me to increase my vocabulary to improve my EQ

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