Human nature is a complex tapestry of emotions, behaviors, thoughts, and experiences that don’t often make sense—or are, at least, incredibly intriguing. It’s something that plenty of writers, whether writing fiction or nonfiction, have explored.
Books About Human Nature
Whether you’re a psychology student, a writer doing research, or someone who wants to know how we tick, here are a few books that delve deep into humanity.
1. Sapiens, Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
This condensed book follows humanity through the ages and through different lenses. From the evolution of human biology and society to the impact of religion and science, you get a well-rounded account of humanity’s journey.
A recurring theme within is that human nature is shaped by the stories we tell ourselves. Hence, our strong connection to the myths and beliefs we share.
2. Between the Monster and the Saint by Richard Holloway
Human existence is a difficult thing. We are unpredictable and susceptible to seduction, with the capability to become monsters or saints. Using various writings from philosophy, science, history, and other literature, Holloway teaches how we can be more of the latter despite it being a more challenging path.
3. Games People Play by Eric Berne
Everybody plays games—not the ones that kids play but psychological games that occur in a person’s everyday interactions. These repetitive, unconscious patterns are often what reinforce negative emotions or dysfunctional dynamics.
Berne explains how individuals adopt specific roles that become ingrained in their personalities, which in turn affects how they relate to others.
4. The Brain, the Story of You by David Eagleman
Your brain, unseen and unfelt, shapes your life, the stories you experience, and the reality you move in. But how does it create the being that is you?
David Eagleman dives through the various aspects of neuroscience, from perception and memory to consciousness and personality. Combining scientific insights with real-life examples, he demonstrates the incredible complexity of the brain and how it shapes you as an individual.
5. Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
Drawing on decades of research in psychology and behavioral economics, Kahneman reveals the cognitive biases and systematic errors that influence human decision-making. He also discusses how our thought processes are governed by two systems—one fast, intuitive, and automatic, while the other is slow, deliberate, and analytical.
6. The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt
We are not as rational as we think we are. Throughout history, plenty of reasons have created division such as politics and religion.
Haidt investigates the moral foundations beneath these divisions. And what he finds is uncomfortable: our moral reasoning might be a tool that’s more about proving ourselves right than finding out the truth.
7. Quiet by Susan Cain
In a world that often values extroverted qualities, Susan Cain provides many reasons to celebrate introverts. That, in our bias towards extroverts, society is losing much in dramatically undervaluing introverts and their contributions.
In this book, she delves into the psychological and cultural differences between extroverts and introverts, including how they approach social interactions, leadership, and leadership. She highlights the importance of accommodating these differences to foster a more balanced society.
8. Influence by Robert B. Cialdini
Why do people say yes? And how do people influence others? Cialdini narrows this down to six universal principles: reciprocity, commitment, social proof, authority, liking, and scarcity.
Using real-life examples and scientific studies, he demonstrates how these principles are employed to influence others, and often unconsciously. He also teaches you how to become a more effective persuader as well as how to defend against unethical persuasion.
9. Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
In the course of history, only a few people have risen to the top to become the best, the most successful, and the most famous. But what makes these outliers out of the ordinary?
Gladwell examines the backgrounds and circumstances of these high achievers to find out the elements that contributed to their achievements. He also challenges the myth of the self-made man, arguing that plenty of outside influences such as culture, work ethic, and family contribute to a person’s success.
10. The Culture Map by Erin Meyer
The world has turned into a global village where cross-cultural communication and collaboration are now normal. As such, bridging cultural gaps has become a valuable skill when it comes to life and work.
Using extensive research and real-life examples, Meyer decodes the treacherous differences that impact how people of different cultural backgrounds think and act. Also within are tools you can use to foster global teamwork and shine in multicultural environments.
Learning More about Human Nature
Throughout history, philosophers, scientists, and other thinkers have tried to grasp what exists at the core of humanity. However, despite diverse theories and beliefs, we are still far from understanding human nature.
What is evident though, is that humanity has an incredible ability to learn and adapt. History is marked by people who have endured hardships, learned truths, and built on past knowledge.
Another characteristic of note is our duality. We are social beings who crave community and cooperation, yet we often entangle ourselves in conflicts and prejudices. We have a capacity for love and altruism as well as violence and selfishness.
Understanding human nature is both a scholarly pursuit and a personal quest. How we are shaped by our thoughts, actions, emotions, and interactions can give us a better understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
What other books about the human condition do you recommend? Share them in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- 24 Best Books About Psychology: Fascinating Reads on Human Behavior
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- 10 Books About Immortality and the Dilemma of Living Forever
Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
