Everyone is affected by human psychology and learning about the field is not only interesting; it can also impact our development. Comprehending psychology is a way for us to gain greater understanding of ourselves and others—whether it’s through basic connection or a deeper dive into our psyche. We’ve put together the 20 best psychology audiobooks to help you master the workings of the human mind and keep your thinking sharp, insightful, and aware.
A Nobel laureate in Economic Sciences, Daniel Kahneman is a psychologist and an economist by trade, and his audiobook 'Thinking Fast and Slow' compiles decades of his studies. Kahneman has worked on questions concerning cognitive biases, prospect theory, and happiness, and in this listen, all three fields work together to form the central idea that we all possess two systems of thought. The first system is instinctive, emotional, and fast. The second system is deliberative, logical, and slow. Kahneman’s work has influenced famous big thinkers, including Steven Pinker and Malcolm Gladwell. While the ideas discussed in 'Thinking Fast and Slow' can be intricate, Patrick Egan’s narration makes difficult ideas flow with ease and clarity.
'Talking to Strangers' is New York Times best selling author Malcolm Gladwell’s 2019 hit. Narrated by Gladwell himself, he outlines his career as a journalist, linking stories that at first may seem unconnected. Eventually, listeners will understand that each story revolves around how our lives can shift if we change our perspective on strangers around us. In this audiobook, Gladwell delivers these stories in new and innovative ways. He inserts clips from original interviews with subjects and adds audio effects, effectively merging a podcast with an audiobook to create a unique, heightened listening experience.
Bessel Van der Kolk is one of the world’s leading trauma experts. Throughout his time treating patients and learning about their symptoms, he realized that trauma impacts an extremely large portion of the population. 'The Body Keeps the Score' shares his highly cultivated knowledge so that more of us can understand our trauma and begin to address it. He intertwines anecdotal information with hard science, showcasing his expertise, while making his findings approachable. Esteemed narrator Sean Pratt seamlessly adjusts his tone throughout this sensitive audiobook, giving listeners the relaxing experience needed to learn about, and maybe even confront, their own past trauma.
'Emotional Intelligence 2.0' is all about using your emotional quotient (EQ) to improve your life. However, since there is no one definition of emotional intelligence, it is first necessary to identify your personal EQ skills. Authors Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves make identifying these skills easy with a personalized test. Once listeners have taken the test (included with the audiobook), the authors, with the help of narrator Tom Parks, help them interpret their results. Maybe even more importantly, the information outlined will help anyone who listens understand how their results can help them pursue daily objectives or long-term goals. It is an uncomplicated look into how we can leverage our strengths and weaknesses, and the interactive nature of this audiobook makes it all the more impactful.
The idea seems simple: if we change our habits, we can change our lives. However, most people will agree that changing habits is easier said than done. In 'The Power of Habit', Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Charles Duhigg explains the science behind habits and how changing them actually is possible when we are aware of them and how they play into our lives. Delivered in narrator Mike Chamberlain’s earnest tone, the scientific aspects of this audiobook are instantly approachable. Duhigg has expertly distilled insightful information helping listeners easily glean habit inspo from some of the most efficient people of our time— Olympic athletes, civil rights activists, and CEOs.
In his New York Times best seller, investigative reporter David Epstein debunks the myth that focusing on one specific talent or ability from an early age is the best way to become a specialist. He documents his original research focusing on the world’s most successful musicians, athletes, artists, and scientists, and he demonstrates that the majority found their talents later in life while they spent most of their formative years learning and trying as many diverse things as possible. These revelations may seem shocking to some, especially since we live in an expertise-driven society. Audie-Award winning Narrator Will Damron is easy to listen to, leaving you feeling stress free. So, if you still feel like you don’t know what you want to be when you grow up, don’t worry—this audiobook is a great source of inspiration and guidance.
'The Alter Ego Effect' by Todd Herman is centered around unleashing a part of you that you didn’t know you had...and that you didn’t know you needed. Narrated by the author, Herman believes that we can trick ourselves into being the person we always wanted to be simply by finding our alter ego. Our alter egos aren’t fake versions of ourselves; they are simply parts of us that need to be cultivated. For over 20 years, Herman has been teaching athletes, entrepreneurs, and everyone in between how to tap into their alter egos. This audiobook gives you the opportunity to learn from Herman’s experiences and expertise, and coming directly from him, the listening experience feels somewhat like tuning in to a particularly impactful motivational speech.
'The Happiness Hypothesis' by best selling author Jonathan Haidt is a collection about 10 Great Ideas. Each chapter focuses on one idea that has been discovered by several of the world’s civilizations. Haidt questions if the ideas are still relevant today and whether or not they can be used as effective purveyors of happiness. Ryan Vincent Anderson’s narration of 'The Happiness Hypothesis' is clear, inviting, and delivered with an insightful tone. This is an audiobook sure to be re-visited again and again.
Brené Brown is a social worker and research professor at the University of Houston, and for years, she has been studying some of our most nebulous emotions, including vulnerability, empathy, shame, and courage. Spoiler alert: They’re all connected, constantly ebbing and flowing throughout each and every one of us. 'The Power of Vulnerability' is a self-narrated masterclass that brings together her most important findings. For fans of her lectures or TED Talks, this audiobook serves as an extension of her widely shared short-form videos. Brene’s humor, clarity, and savvy for research are evident and welcomed, not unlike listening to a brilliant, kind friend.
Introverts are often mislabeled as followers simply because they make less noise. Susan Cain’s Quiet is a defense of introverts and the important role they play in society. She offers scientific material that will help listeners understand the difference between introverts and extroverts, many examples of successful introverts, and practical self-help ideas for how to make the most of being an introvert. Kathe Mazur, a prolific audiobook performer as well as an accomplished actor, is the perfect narrator for Quiet. She invites listeners to learn about introverts while speaking in a soft voice, but her gentle speech pattern still manages to command attention, reflective of the very subjects of this listen.
'Maybe You Should Talk to Someone' by Lori Gottlieb is the autobiographical story of a psychotherapist in therapy herself. Gottlieb shares her most intimate experiences as a therapist and as a patient, unearthing taboos from each side. A gentle challenge to listeners to examine themselves a little more closely, narrator Brittany Pressley does a flawless job of bridging the anecdotal and psychological aspects of the audiobook with her versatile narration. She sounds like she could be your friend or even your own therapist, making this nonfiction story a relatable and personal experience. This truly illuminating listen reminds us that we are not alone, and that when we embrace our own mental health journey without judgement, we can become our strongest advocates.
Talking about depression and anxiety can be understandably difficult. New York Times best-selling author Johann Hari’s 'Lost Connections' offers a hopeful reimagining of the often stigmatized but incredibly common mental health struggles we all face. He argues that depression and anxiety have less to do with chemical imbalances in our brains and more to do with the way we live our lives. As he narrates this Audible exclusive, Hari shares his experiences, his research, and some key solutions. He is earnest, heartfelt, and at times poignant, whether speaking about his own experiences or his empathy for others. A unique look at mental health treatment, Lost Connections is a gentle reminder that the power to heal is always within us.
David Burns’s 'Feeling Good' is another great audiobook for anyone looking to combat depression. The main thesis revolves around the idea that things that lead up to depression, like anxiety, low self-esteem, or guilt. The good news is that all of those symptoms can all be treated without medication. Burns uses his training in psychiatry to pinpoint the best methods and techniques that listeners can apply to their daily lives. Bolstered by George Newbern’s calm, pleasant narration, the tools outlined in this audiobook provide listeners with accessible methods for easing the pain of depression. The success of the audiobook spurred a very successful 'Feeling Good' podcast and blog curated by Burns, and their large audiences are demonstrative of the effectiveness of his theories.
Dave Grossman is a leading expert in the psychology of killing. Before he was a professor of psychology at West Point, he was a lieutenant colonel in the United States Army, and since his retirement from battle, he has been working to understand the psychological cost of fighting in wars. In 'On Combat,' he narrates his research and experience concerning the mental and biological consequences that come from being in combat, and he adds his hard-earned advice on dealing with those consequences in daily life. Grossman teams up with Loren W. Christensen, a Military Policeman, in order to give a more rounded approach. Grossman’s authenticity, empathy, and strength shine through in a way that only someone who has experienced the events themselves can convey.
At its most basic, 'Sex at Dawn' by Christopher Ryan and Cacilda Jethá is about the history and science of human sexual relationships. Learning from philosophers like Charles Darwin, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Steven Pinker, Ryan and Jethá gleaned key insights into evolution, monogamy, and the human condition. The team of authors is nicely mirrored by the team of narrators, Allyson Johnson and Jonathan Davis. A special introduction by Christopher Ryan adds a deeper understanding of why the authors chose to undertake this project, and, as a result, helps listeners have a more well-rounded perspective as they delve into the audiobook.
Prominent psychiatrist Brian L Weiss narrates his own experiences with a former patient named Catherine, who, under hypnosis, was able to recall her past lives and make psychological break-throughs. The audiobook exhibits how this experimental treatment, as surprising as it was, turned out to be exactly what the doctor ordered. Through his narration, Weiss exhibits his genuine nature and passion about his inventive research, making the retelling of his experience captivating and exciting. It’s not often that listeners can hear directly from the expert without parsing a dense research paper, and this audiobook makes it all the more accessible.
In 'The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog', Bruce D. Perry, psychiatrist and Senior Fellow at the Child Trauma Academy in Houston, and Maia Szalavitz, award-winning author and journalist, team up to share the stories of some of their most vulnerable patients: children who have experienced trauma. A developing brain is fragile, and trauma can create lasting psychological problems. Narrator Christ Kipiniak performs this urgent and profound subject matter with the sense of calm and delicateness that it so deserves. Through Perry’s research and with Szalavitz’s colorful documentation, this audiobook shares how children’s traumas are unique and how these children can be treated. This insight into the fabric of young minds may just help listeners understand their older brains.
In this text, international bestselling author Anil Seth seeks the core of consciousness, individuality, and the key to the personal nature of the human experience. While this sounds like an increibly lofty goal, this title attacks the concept from multiple angles to create a cohesive whole. Seth balances scientific, philosophical and spiritual aspects of "self" to bring the listener a cohesive and complete vision. Already considered by some to be one of the most exciting contributions to 21st-century science, this title takes one of the most central questions to the human experience and breaks it down into reasonable parts.
What if there was more than one "you?" Dr. Richard C. Schwartz seeks to answer this question in his new audiobook. In this listen, Schwartz considers many angles of the mind in a multifaceted work of scientific analysis. He highlights several parts of the mind, including some that we often consider bad, like the ego, the inner critic, and the saboteur, and demonstrates how these negative factors can be harnessed for positive results. This listen is a revolutionary work that may change the way that we consider our lives long term.
Robert B. Cialdini is a Regents’s Professor of Psychology and Marketing with a PhD in Social Psychology. 'Influence' is a compilation of the findings he uncovered during years of training at used car dealerships, telemarketing firms, and other fundraising organizations. Throughout his field work, he discovered that there are six key principles when it comes to persuading others: reciprocity, commitment and consistency, social proof, authority, liking, and scarcity. This audiobook—narrated by veteran psychology narrator George Newbern—gives listeners an in-depth look into these principles, allowing them to apply the art of the influencer in their own lives and grasp the important ideas showcased by Cialdini.