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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
Much more interesting in the second half of the book, when reading about practical ways to regulate emotions and take questionnaires that allow you to self evaluate your own emotional profile. I thought some of the studies and science in the first half was interesting, but felt it was often dragged out to where I forgot what the big idea of the chapter was.
I appreciate the author’s own vulnerability and sprinkles of stories from his own life about his mom and dad, and did make me sad to read the epilogue.
I appreciate the author’s own vulnerability and sprinkles of stories from his own life about his mom and dad, and did make me sad to read the epilogue.
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Well-written and interesting, don't think it covered anything groundbreakingly new (that I wasn't familiar with), but covered some interesting research and deepened my familiarity with the topic.
That said, it featured some of the same problems that I find with a lot of pop science books. The author frequently started each chapter or section with a story of a single individual that illustrated his point. In some cases, they were historical examples of what prompted the research on the relevant question, which was sometimes interesting and useful. More frequently though, they didn't really add anything to the argument. I get that people are more receptive to changing their understanding by learning of stories, narratives, and examples, but when those are shared not by an expert (therapist, practitioner, etc., or, even better, someone with lived experiences), I find they detract from the science and are largely superfluous.
Also, while the book was largely pretty heavy on the science, a LOT of it was focused on experiments on animals, which, when we're talking about brains and human emotions, I don't find particularly relevant or convincing. Also, it is gross to manipulate emotions in nonconsenting animals; the practice needs outlawed.
That said, it featured some of the same problems that I find with a lot of pop science books. The author frequently started each chapter or section with a story of a single individual that illustrated his point. In some cases, they were historical examples of what prompted the research on the relevant question, which was sometimes interesting and useful. More frequently though, they didn't really add anything to the argument. I get that people are more receptive to changing their understanding by learning of stories, narratives, and examples, but when those are shared not by an expert (therapist, practitioner, etc., or, even better, someone with lived experiences), I find they detract from the science and are largely superfluous.
Also, while the book was largely pretty heavy on the science, a LOT of it was focused on experiments on animals, which, when we're talking about brains and human emotions, I don't find particularly relevant or convincing. Also, it is gross to manipulate emotions in nonconsenting animals; the practice needs outlawed.
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Heavy on the anecdotes. Light on the helpful advice.
It provided a good summary of how our limbic and executive functions work together to give rise to emotions and how we experience and make sense of them. I found the part on epigenetics most interesting regarding DNA and activation and how we still have the ability to overcome it when it comes to improving our emotional profile. I was hoping the chapter on Managing Emotions would have been more developed with some helpful steps or actionable advice to incorporate into daily life. It just gives a quick summary of why the methods of Acceptance, Reappraisal, and Expression are effective, which I guess is nice to know. I couldn't help but wonder with the Expression method if there is a tipping point between venting and ruminating/dwelling, where expressing the emotion for too long or too often actually results in magnifying and extending a negative emotion. The book didn't delve into that, however.
Overall, a quick read with high level introduction to the physiology of emotions but not enough meat to give any aha moments or actionable tips for what to do next after learning all of this.
It provided a good summary of how our limbic and executive functions work together to give rise to emotions and how we experience and make sense of them. I found the part on epigenetics most interesting regarding DNA and activation and how we still have the ability to overcome it when it comes to improving our emotional profile. I was hoping the chapter on Managing Emotions would have been more developed with some helpful steps or actionable advice to incorporate into daily life. It just gives a quick summary of why the methods of Acceptance, Reappraisal, and Expression are effective, which I guess is nice to know. I couldn't help but wonder with the Expression method if there is a tipping point between venting and ruminating/dwelling, where expressing the emotion for too long or too often actually results in magnifying and extending a negative emotion. The book didn't delve into that, however.
Overall, a quick read with high level introduction to the physiology of emotions but not enough meat to give any aha moments or actionable tips for what to do next after learning all of this.
Yet another non-fic that could’ve been a hefty pamphlet. Repetitive, but interesting - especially the core affect content.
informative
slow-paced
informative
reflective
medium-paced
informative
inspiring
medium-paced