Perception

"What we 'see' isn't limited to our conscious perceptions, what we 'know' isn't limited to what we can speak or even consciously consider. Human behavior is guided by human experience, and shaped in profound ways by the interaction of our physical bodies with the world. If you want to understand people—whether it's to get them to work better, be happier, or to influence the choices they make—you need to start with an understanding of human experience that doesn't treat the body as an afterthought. In Proffitt and Baer's extraordinary new book, you will find yourself delighted and intrigued by all the things you didn't know that your body already did."—Heidi Grant, Ph.D., author of Reinforcements and Nine Things Successful People Do Differently

"Perception will open your eyes to the vagaries of human mental life. As infants and toddlers, we created our understanding of the material and social world through active play. You perceive the steepness of stairs relative to your physical fitness. Having few friends and close acquaintances is more hazardous to your health than chain smoking cigarettes. Lucid writing combined with such interesting research findings makes for an entertaining and enlightening read."—Scott Barry Kaufman, Ph.D., author of Transcend and host of The Psychology Podcast

"This endlessly fascinating book makes the case that we can't hope to understand ourselves—or anyone else, for that matter—until we see that we aren't just brains, but brains in bodies, which shape everything we see, think, and know. Reading Perception is transformative, in a profound sense: it adds a whole new dimension to the way you feel yourself to exist in the world."—Oliver Burkeman, author of The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking

"Perception offers an engaging and informative account of how our perceptual experience of the world is shaped by our actions, the actions of others, our body, and the social and cultural milieu in which we live. Each chapter is full of historical and contemporary examples of how these factors combine to create our perception of the environment. I was familiar with many of the experimental studies, but the book is chock full of experiments and observations that I had never encountered before. An absolutely fascinating and accessible read."—Melvyn Goodale, University of Western Ontario, co-author of Sight Unseen and The Visual Brain in Action