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drumrollplease1's review against another edition
5.0
My dad put this in my hands and said, "Read this and mail it back to me." And now I get it. I learned a lot from reading this book, and I'd encourage others to read it as well! Fascinating psychology.
chughes120's review against another edition
5.0
This felt like a Malcolm Gladwell book or Michael Lewis podcast in the best way. A great, quick read.
annmaries's review
4.0
Edit on re-read: Still good (in fact, I think better) on re-read.
3.5 stars
Another reviewer likened Brafman and Brafman (they're brothers) to Gladwell, and I think it's a fair comparison; they follow a similar format. Sway poses some interesting questions and explores some relevant points, but I wish there had been more in the way of supporting information. However, I think it's valuable as a thought-provoking but still approachable treatment of the subject.
3.5 stars
Another reviewer likened Brafman and Brafman (they're brothers) to Gladwell, and I think it's a fair comparison; they follow a similar format. Sway poses some interesting questions and explores some relevant points, but I wish there had been more in the way of supporting information. However, I think it's valuable as a thought-provoking but still approachable treatment of the subject.
bdusablon's review against another edition
4.0
Great read on why even smart people do really stupid stuff. A must read for anyone trying to make change happen in an organization.
perilous1's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 Stars
I read this on the heels of Thinking Fast and Slow...which may have affected my rating. It was a relief to have a far shorter, more concise read covering a number of overlapping topics, which also (thankfully) happened to be more entertaining in presentation. The primary subjects covered included: the effects of expectations on behavior, how first impressions both linger and impact opinions, and the many detrimental effects of loss-aversion.
What stood out to this reader above everything was the references to research indicating that the altruistic and pleasure centers of the brain aren't able to operate concurrently. And the pleasure-seeking center seems to charge a higher cost (in terms of compensation it finds gratifying.) Which is potentially very helpful in helping one decide which part of human nature to appeal to, depending on the situation and need. They offer some compelling examples to suggest its quite counterproductive to one's cause if you attempt to engage both.
I actually wish this one were longer, and went more in-depth. It almost seemed abridged.
I read this on the heels of Thinking Fast and Slow...which may have affected my rating. It was a relief to have a far shorter, more concise read covering a number of overlapping topics, which also (thankfully) happened to be more entertaining in presentation. The primary subjects covered included: the effects of expectations on behavior, how first impressions both linger and impact opinions, and the many detrimental effects of loss-aversion.
What stood out to this reader above everything was the references to research indicating that the altruistic and pleasure centers of the brain aren't able to operate concurrently. And the pleasure-seeking center seems to charge a higher cost (in terms of compensation it finds gratifying.) Which is potentially very helpful in helping one decide which part of human nature to appeal to, depending on the situation and need. They offer some compelling examples to suggest its quite counterproductive to one's cause if you attempt to engage both.
I actually wish this one were longer, and went more in-depth. It almost seemed abridged.
listen_learn's review against another edition
I listened to this as opposed to reading it and I listened to most of it on double speed, which was a mistake , because I really process most comfortably at about 1.5x the speed, so not much stuck with me.
I think I would have enjoyed it more if I wasn't speeding through or if I had actually read it - though I'm not certain since the biases they addressed were concepts that were already familiar to me.
I think I would have enjoyed it more if I wasn't speeding through or if I had actually read it - though I'm not certain since the biases they addressed were concepts that were already familiar to me.
matthewwester's review against another edition
4.0
Popular non-fiction books like this are fun. This one describes the reasons we all fall into irrational behavior. For example, adding a little financial incentive to an experiment or task can actually backfire and produce terrible results. This book explains why.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes Malcolm Gladwell, or those kinds of books.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes Malcolm Gladwell, or those kinds of books.
ashbook's review against another edition
1.0
I’m slowly leaving my Pop Psychology Genre era since I started listening to the podcast “if books could kill” so I was already starting this book with mid expectations. Truly the content was really underdeveloped and didn’t provide anything novel. I think I’ve heard of 80% of the stories referenced before reading this. The take away of Sway: people do silly things that make noooooo sense on the surface - except - actually it does make sense bc people are humans with behaviors influenced by social/emotional/financial/cultural factors.
Also the authors have weird western-conservative biases that made me raise my eyebrow a lot.
Also the authors have weird western-conservative biases that made me raise my eyebrow a lot.
jsalyers520's review against another edition
4.0
While I don't think any of this information is "new" (possibly because I just finished an undergrad in psych) it is still extremely interesting to see the ways in which we are constantly being manipulated. The book sheds light on daily occurrences which you you may not even know you are being "swayed." Light, quick read with awesome info. I definitely recommend it.