Out of Character: Summary Review
This is a summary review of Out of Character containing key details about the book.
What is Out of Character About?
"Out of Character" is a book that explores the factors that influence our behavior and decision-making.
Have you ever wondered why a trumpeter of family values would suddenly turn around and cheat on his wife? Why would jealousy send an otherwise level-headed person into a violent rage? What could drive a person to blow a family fortune at the blackjack tables?
Out of Character answers these questions and more, and in doing so, turns the prevailing wisdom about who we are upside down. Our character, argue the authors, isn’t a stable set of traits, but rather a shifting state that is subject to the constant push and pull of hidden mechanisms in our mind.
Summary Points & Takeaways from Out of Character
Some key summary points and takeaways from the book include:
* Emotions play a significant role in shaping our behavior and decision-making.
* Our unconscious biases and prejudices often shape our behavior and decision-making in unexpected ways.
* Situational factors can have a significant impact on our behavior and decision-making, even when they are subtle or seemingly insignificant.
* Social context and cultural norms can also play a significant role in shaping our behavior and decision-making.
* Our behavior is often influenced by the behavior of those around us, through processes such as social conformity and social influence.
* The author argues that our understanding of human behavior and decision-making would be greatly improved by taking a more interdisciplinary approach, incorporating insights from psychology, economics, sociology, and other fields.
* The authors also argue that by becoming more aware of the ways in which our behavior can be influenced by unconscious biases, situational factors, and cultural norms, we can make more informed and deliberate decisions in our personal and professional lives.
Who is the author of Out of Character?
David Desteno is associate professor of psychology at Northeastern University, where he is also director of the Social Emotions Lab. He is editor of the American Psychological Association’s journal Emotion and has served as a visiting associate professor of psychology at Harvard University.
Piercarlo Valdesolo is an assistant professor of psychology at Claremont-McKenna College. His work has appeared both in top journals and major news outlets, including the New York Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, LA Times, and Newsweek, and he has been awarded fellowships at Harvard University and Amherst College.
Book details
- Print length: 288 pages
- Genre: Psychology, Nonfiction, Self Help
What do critics say?
Here's what one of the prominent reviewers had to say about the book: "A fascinating yet highly readable perspective on the psychology of the hero/villain spectrum of human character, inviting us to reconceive personality, both our own and that of others." — The Atlantic
* The editor of this summary review made every effort to maintain information accuracy, including any published quotes, chapters, or takeaways. If you're interested in enhancing your personal growth, I suggest checking out my list of favorite self-development books. These books have been instrumental in my own personal development and I'm confident they can help you too.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
