The Expectation Effect

How Your Mindset Can Change Your World

By: David Robson

Narrated by: John Sackville

Length: 8 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

“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 Pink, New York Times best-selling author of When, Drive, and To Sell Is Human)

A journey through the cutting-edge science of how our mindset shapes every facet of our lives, revealing how your brain holds the keys to unlocking a better you

What you believe can make it so.

You’ve heard of the placebo effect and how sugar pills can accelerate healing. But did you know that sham heart surgeries often work just as well as placing real stents? Or that people who think they’re particularly prone to cardiovascular disease are four times as likely to die from cardiac arrest? Such is the power and deadly importance of the expectation effect - how what we think will happen changes what does happen.

Melding neuroscience with narrative, science journalist David Robson takes listeners on a deep dive into the many life zones the expectation effect permeates. We see how people who believe stress is beneficial become more creative when placed under strain. We see how associating aging with wisdom can add seven plus years to your life. People say seeing is believing but, over and over, Robson proves that the converse is truer: Believing is seeing.

The Expectation Effect is not woo-woo. You cannot think your way into a pile of money or out of a cancer diagnosis. But just because magical thinking is nonsense doesn’t mean rational magic doesn’t exist. Pointing to accepted psychology and objective physiology, Robson gives us the practical takeaways we need to improve our fitness, productivity, intelligence, and happiness. Any listener who wants to take their fate into their own hands need only pick up this book.

A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt and Company.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 David Robson (P)2022 Macmillan Audio

One of the most thought provoking and belief-challenging books I’ve ever listened to.

I’ll admit was a little bit skeptical. We’ve all heard the anecdotal cliches about thoughts and attitudes affecting our behavior and our lives. This book is entirely based around clinical studies, which demonstrate over and over again, the significant impact our expectations have all aspects of our lives, including physiological processes (like metabolism and aging) that I previously thought of as more or less determined by genetics and physical factors only. Without a doubt, the most interesting and “belief-challenging” book I’ve read on mind and body.

Proof to support what I always believed

I have always believed that the mind can control all aspects of your life. I particularly related to the chapter about the effects of aging. Being in my sixties, I have personally experienced negative attitudes from young and old regarding aging. I truly believe that “age ain’t nothing but a number”! Great book! I will recommend to others and listen again.

Really Inspiring !

It’s such a pragmatic way, which should be made illegal, or looking at changing your mindset and tips and tricks, backed up by science on the way to which you master change.

Excellent for Educators, Medical, & Leaders

I believe this book, if all it's references are valid, is an excellent investment in your time. I see benefit for almost all careers and walks of life, Educators, Medical professionals, leaders alike. It's organized along these subject areas and builds nicely in supporting manner. The performer is good, but the only issue I have is the volume is too low for some reason. A good gift idea as well. I wonder if this subject has room in counseling, law enforcement and Intel.

An Essential Book!

I've read/listened to probably about over 130 books in the Self Help Category, and I have to say that this one is one the best I've listened to. It will absolutely change your life and the way that you think for the better! Highly recommended. (I'm on my 3rd listen.)

Expect the book to be good

The stories in the book were very good. The science behind them was better. Recommend for everyone to read and listen. The story of the blind lady was something. Also the one about the standardized tests.

Life changing tier

It makes it to my highest tier of books alongside deep work. Got to come back and re listen to this one

Every leader and teacher must read!

I have often said the expectation is the human beings greatest superpower. I believe it more now than I ever have. When you tap into the super power all that can be done has not yet been discovered!

Amazing book

This is such an incredible book. I recommend it to anyone interested in the science of the mind and the ability of one’s mindset to alter one’s circumstances.

exciting insight for hope

I will re read this book because it valuable beyond measure...keep on looking up...I look to the hills from whence cometh my help!!!