Daniel Gilbert is a well-known American social psychologist and writer. He was born on January 17, 1957, in New York City, and earned his PhD in psychology from Princeton University in 1985. Gilbert is currently a professor of psychology at Harvard University, where he has been teaching since 1996.
Gilbert’s research focuses on a variety of topics related to social psychology, including the psychology of decision-making, the impact of social relationships on well-being, and the cognitive biases that affect our judgments and beliefs. He has published numerous academic articles and has received several awards for his research, including the American Psychological Association’s Distinguished Scientific Award for Early Career Contribution to Psychology.
In addition to his academic work, Gilbert is also a popular writer and speaker. His book “Stumbling on Happiness” was a New York Times bestseller, and he has given several TED talks on topics related to psychology and human behavior. Gilbert is known for his engaging and humorous style, and his ability to communicate complex psychological concepts in a way that is accessible and entertaining to a broad audience.
“Stumbling on Happiness” is a popular psychology book written by Daniel Gilbert, a Harvard psychologist. The book explores the idea of happiness, and how humans often fail to predict what will make them happy in the future.
The book is divided into three parts.
In the first part, Gilbert discusses the flaws in our ability to imagine the future. He argues that we tend to overestimate the impact of both positive and negative events on our happiness. We also tend to think that we will be different people in the future than we are now, which can lead to inaccurate predictions about what will make us happy.
In the second part, Gilbert explores the ways in which we try to make ourselves happy, including the pursuit of wealth, fame, and relationships. He argues that these things often do not bring us the happiness we expect, and that we are better off focusing on experiences rather than possessions.
In the final part, Gilbert discusses the ways in which we can be happy. He argues that we should focus on creating a sense of meaning and purpose in our lives, rather than simply pursuing pleasure. He also suggests that we should cultivate gratitude and mindfulness, and try to avoid the comparison trap by focusing on our own personal goals and achievements.
Overall, “Stumbling on Happiness” offers an engaging and thought-provoking exploration of the human quest for happiness, and provides insights into how we can better understand and pursue happiness in our own lives.