Vor dem Denken

John Bargh, the world's leading social psychologist, decodes the unconscious in this groundbreaking standard work. He demonstrates that our feelings, thoughts, and daily behaviors are driven by hidden mental processes—far more than we have previously suspected. Why do five-year-old girls already believe they can't do math? What does the weather have to do with stock market transactions? When can we trust our gut feelings? Prof. Dr. John Bargh presents the sum of his knowledge after 40 years of intensive research on the unconscious. In numerous astonishing experiments, he reveals it as an incredibly fast, effective, and tireless mode of operation of our mind that exists in parallel to consciousness. The goal: to ensure our survival. Thus, past experiences, present gut feelings, and future goals guide our daily behavior even before thinking kicks in. This places strict limits on human free will. However, Bargh reveals how we can still avoid unwanted behavioral patterns and outsmart the unconscious. It's an exciting and stimulating journey into our selves.