The Optimism Bias

Psychologists have long been aware that most people maintain an irrationally positive outlook on life. Tali Sharot—one of the most innovative neuroscientists at work today—takes this a step further. Optimism, she shows, may in fact be crucial to our existence.

In this absorbing exploration, Sharot takes an in-depth, clarifying look at

• how the brain generates hope and what ...

Psychologists have long been aware that most people maintain an irrationally positive outlook on life. Tali Sharot—one of the most innovative neuroscientists at work today—takes this a step further. Optimism, she shows, may in fact be crucial to our existence.

In this absorbing exploration, Sharot takes an in-depth, clarifying look at

• how the brain generates hope and what happens when it fails

• how the brains of optimists and pessimists differ

• why we are terrible at predicting what will make us happy

• how emotions strengthen our ability to recollect

• how anticipation and dread affect us

• how our optimistic illusions affect our financial, professional, and emotional decisions

With its cutting-edge science and its wide-ranging narrative, The Optimism Bias provides us with startling new insight into the workings of the brain and the major role that optimism plays in determining how we live our lives.

塔利•沙罗特（Tali Sharot），纽约大学心理学及神经学博士，TED大会著名演讲人。目前为伦敦大学认知科学、脑科学系的研究人员。她关于乐观、记忆、情绪等研究内容已被《新闻周刊》、《波士顿环球报》、《华尔街日报》《新科学家》杂志、《华盛顿邮报》、BBC等多家报刊、媒体刊用。