The Science of Happiness

An inspiring, cutting-edge guide to happiness from a world-leading expert We are all born egocentric, and as babies we see the world almost entirely from our own perspective. As we grow, we become more allocentric: more aware of the views, wants and needs of others. But many of us don't achieve the healthy balance of egocentrism and allocentrism which is key to our wellbeing as adults.

When we are too egocentric we become overly concerned with our inadequacies, compare ourselves constantly with others, and fail to see the good in our lives. But we can change for the better. In this illuminating book Professor Bruce Hood draws on his expertise in child development and psychology to tell a radical new story about the roots of wellbeing and the obstacles that lie in our path.

Combining fascinating studies with practical takeaways, he presents seven simple but life-changing lessons for living well. From how to control our attention to avoiding negative comparisons and forming stronger connections with others, he shows how we can all harness the findings of the science of happiness to transform our lives.