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Spite

and the Upside of Your Dark Side
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Spite by Simon McCarthy-Jones delves into the intriguing psychology and neuroscience behind one of our most complex emotions: spite. The book explores how spite, often seen as a negative trait, can actually drive both personal growth and societal change, weaving together scientific insights with compelling examples from history and everyday life. It's a thought-provoking journey into understanding a perplexing human behaviour.
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Format: Hardback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this intriguing exploration of human behaviour if you're fascinated by the complex emotions that drive us to act against our interests. It delves into the psychological and societal impacts of seemingly irrational decisions, offering insights that could appeal to anyone interested in understanding the darker sides of human nature.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Why do we cut off our noses to spite our faces?  A leading expert in psychology shines a light on a universal emotion

Why do we cut off our noses to spite our faces?  A leading expert in psychology shines a light on a universal emotion

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Spite covers psychology, economics, genetics, literature, and current affairs to examine why humans inflict self-harm just to get one over on someone else. Why do we secretly want our friends to fail? The book includes many irresistible stories about toxic behaviour in supermarkets and over the privet hedge, ramping up to incendiary divorces, vicious business practices, backbiting politics, scorched earth terrorism, Trump, and Brexit. Was Trump elected because people voted out of spite for Hillary Clinton?

There’s a hopeful message too – the upside of our dark side. Spite can drive us forward, and Simon provides a fresh perspective on the word by showing the evolutionary benefits of spite as a social leveller, an enabler of defiance, a wellspring of freedom, and a vital weapon in our everyday armoury.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Simon McCarthy-Jones' Spite offers an entertaining and thought-provoking examination of spite as a human emotion, blending rigorous scientific analysis with engaging prose. It is praised for being both informative and enjoyable, providing fresh insights into human behaviour and motivations. The book explores the impact of spite on personal relationships, business, and politics, leading readers to reconsider their understanding of human nature.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781786078421

Publisher: Oneworld Publications

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 22 October 2020

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Oneworld Publications

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 23.0mm

Width: 135.0mm

Height: 216.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 256

About the Author

Simon McCarthy-Jones is an Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology at Trinity College Dublin. An internationally recognised expert on the experience of hallucinations, he also writes on and researches a range of psychological phenomena. He has written extensively for the popular press, with articles published in the New Statesman, New Scientist, Newsweek, the Huffington Post, the Daily Mail, The Independent and The Irish Times. His articles on 'The Conversation' website have received over a million views to date. His website is: www.simonmccarthyjones.com.

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