Without inductive reasoning, we couldn't generalize from oneinstance to another, derive scientific hypotheses, or predict thatthe sun will rise again tomorrow morning. Despite the widespreadnature of inductive reasoning, books on this topic are rare.Indeed, this is the first book on the psychology of inductivereasoning in twenty years. The chapters survey recent advances inthe study of inductive reasoning and address questions about how itdevelops, the role of knowledge in induction, how best to modelpeople's reasoning, and how induction relates to other forms ofthinking. Written by experts in philosophy, developmental science,cognitive psychology, and computational modeling, the contributionshere will be of interest to a general cognitive science audience aswell as to those with a more specialized interest in the study ofthinking.
From one of the most innovative neuroscientists at work today,an investigation into the bias toward optimism that exists on aneural level in our brains and plays a major part in determininghow we live our lives. Psychologists have long been aware that mostpeople maintain an often irrationally positive outlook on life. Infact, optimism may be crucial to our existence. Tali Sharot'sexperiments, research, and findings in cognitive science havecontributed to an increased understanding of the biological basisof optimism. In this fascinating exploration, she takes anin-depth, clarifying look at how the brain generates hope and whathappens when it fails; how the brains of optimists and pessimistsdiffer; why we are terrible at predicting what will make us happy;how emotions strengthen our ability to recollect; how anticipationand dread affect us; and how our optimistic illusions affect ourfinancial, professional, and emotional decisions. With its cutting-edge science and itswide-ranging and accessible narrat
