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The Expectation Effect

How Your Mindset Can Transform Your Life

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The Expectation Effect

By: David Robson
Narrated by: John Sackville
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A SUNDAY TIMES BEST PAPERBACK OF 2023
A BBC RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK
A FINANCIAL TIMES BEST BOOK OF 2022: HEALTH AND WELLBEING
A WATERSTONES BEST BOOK OF 2022: POPULAR SCIENCE

People who believe ageing brings wisdom live longer.
Lucky charms really do improve an athlete’s performance.
Taking a placebo, even when you know it is a placebo, can still improve your health.
Welcome to The Expectation Effect.

In this book David Robson takes us on a tour of the cutting-edge research happening right now that suggests our expectations shape our experience. Bringing together fascinating case studies and evidence-based science, The Expectation Effect uncovers new techniques that we can all use to improve our fitness, productivity, intelligence, health and happiness.

Of course, you can’t just think yourself thinner, happier or fitter, but using this book you can reframe many different facets of your life, and in so doing start real physiological change. These easy-to-use skills will help you on your way to becoming the person you want to be, living the life you want to live.

Listen now to an additional piece by David Robson 'How Your Mindset Shapes Your Love and Sex Life'

Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Inspiring Health Mental Health
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Critic reviews

"

This book is entertaining, eye-opening, extremely useful and best of all, evidence-based

" (CLAUDIA HAMMOND)
"As David Robson makes plain in this compelling book, the way we think about the world can profoundly shape how we navigate it. Based in science and packed with smart advice, The Expectation Effect will expand your mind – and maybe even extend your life" (DANIEL H. PINK)
"Mind-changing science . . . One of Robson’s many strengths as a chronicler of science is to take what might seem familiar and show – to his own evident excitement, as well – just how much deeper the rabbit hole goes . . . Compelling" (OLIVER BURKEMAN)
"This is an utterly riveting and transformative book. You can’t afford not to read it!" (NIGELLA LAWSON)
"A revelatory pop-science book on the idea that it's not so much what happens to us as what we expect to happen that determines our health and wellbeing"
"Intriguing . . . Extraordinary stories of the brain and its power to control the body"
"I have not been able to stop thinking about it . . . Jaw-dropping . . . So many studies in the book left me speechless" (PANDORA SYKES)
"Already threatening to be book of the year – visionary, original and exciting" (WILL STORR)
"Interesting . . . Robson marshals a huge range of diverse evidence here and describes it very well. I learned a lot and enjoyed the book hugely" (TIM HARFORD)
"An intriguing account of the role of expectation (and perception in general) in a wide panorama of experience. Beautifully written, science-based and a gripping read. I loved it!" (DR MITHU STORONI, author of STRESS-PROOF)
All stars
Most relevant
How do our expectations and beliefs influence our lives? Does the picture we hold in our mind's eye influence our reality? David Robson suggests it does.

Using data from various studies in scientific research, from pharmacology, medicine, chemistry, behavioral science, psychology, and athletics. Bridging the counterintuitive results that lack subject-specific explanations. Like how placebos have cured sick patients. How eating less but being told it's more has reduced hunger in study subjects. How elite athletes performed higher than their previous peak performance when their performance output data was manipulated. How an individual's views on old age and biological ability reflect their body. Importantly how people with a negative attitude towards old age demonstrate more characteristic age-related changes.

All the studies are used to underline the importance of the state of mind. The empirical evidence shows that whatever our mind's deterministic emotional inclination affects and molds the outcome of our reality. Adopting this lens to view the world is what David Robson recommends, and I can't help but agree.

Inspiring change!

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Having loved Davids first book the Intellegence Trap I was concerned that the standard might drop, but I can report that is not the case!
I really enjoyed this and found it a fascinating Insight into how our brains predict our reality and then impact (often negatively) how we react to different situations with its expectations.
I will certianly be listening again and taking away many things that I think can help to improve my life and those around me.

Highly recommend.

Fantastic second book.

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Contains great research, very interesting listen. Will listen again as there is loads of info in this book.

Recemmended!

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Great book but audio is muffled and unclear, makes it unbearable to listen to honestly

Great book but audio is muffled 😡

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Some of this is common knowledge, but there are multiple astonishing case studies & useful ‘self help’ guidance. Along with ‘Thinking fast & slow’ an epic must read.

Beyond Expectations!

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