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26th out of 58 books
—
34 voters
Mindfulness
Ellen J. Langer, Harvard professor of psychology, determines that the mindless following of routine and other automatic behaviors lead to much error, pain and a predetermined course of life. In this thought-provoking book, her research has been "translated" for the lay reader. With anecdotes and metaphors, Langer explains how the mindless--as opposed to the mindful--develo...more
Paperback, 256 pages
Published
January 22nd 1990
by Da Capo Press
(first published 1989)
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i am acutely disappointed by the end of this book. i am even more disappointed by ellen langer herself. yet this does not stop me from wanting to get her second book in her mindfulness series, Mindful Learning.
however, i have now realized why all the other literature on mindfulness does NOT reference her work.
the book is very good in the beginning in describing what exactly mindlessness is. however, her idea of what mindful living is is NOT the same as basically all the other research out the...more
however, i have now realized why all the other literature on mindfulness does NOT reference her work.
the book is very good in the beginning in describing what exactly mindlessness is. however, her idea of what mindful living is is NOT the same as basically all the other research out the...more
Ellen Langer is a psychologist from Harvard University who has spent much of her career researching the differences between mindfulness and mindlessness. In Langer's view, mindfulness is the ability to create new categories, welcoming new information, openness to different points of view, control over context, and emphasizing process over outcome. In other words, mindfulness is the ability to consider things in new and thoughtful ways. Mindlessness is a product of our tendency to view our world...more
Mindful..wha? In my ever continuing quest to become sane (some dreams die hard), I thought I'd pick up this little psychology/self-help book that is supposed to help one undertand the importance of being present and mindful. Yawn (Sorry, Buddha).
Admittedly, there were a few interesting anecdotes, and Langer's style is far from academic and dry, but it lacks a certain punch. Instead I just wanted to punch myself for purchasing the book in the first place. Waste of fifteen bucks...
Admittedly, there were a few interesting anecdotes, and Langer's style is far from academic and dry, but it lacks a certain punch. Instead I just wanted to punch myself for purchasing the book in the first place. Waste of fifteen bucks...
The main gist of this book is that it's better to be aware of what you're doing and avoid the automatic categorizing of situations and people that your mind naturally does when making decisions for yourself or when dealing with others. There are also sections on learned helplessness, especially in the context of old age, creativity and workplace efficiency.
While it's interesting how many of her original studies have gone on to be included in other books over the years, the content of this book...more
While it's interesting how many of her original studies have gone on to be included in other books over the years, the content of this book...more
Picked this up at the transfer station. Will browse along until "At Last" shows up. I could use some help in paying attention in the here and now. Helps with reading too. My edition has a differnt cover. 1989 - Addison Wesley.
Day one... pretty interesting so far. I don't get that this kind of mindfulness is "different" from a Bhuddist-type of mindfulness. Seems to be pretty much the same thing. It's about how we don't pay attention and allow our conditioned brains to automatically filter out inf...more
Day one... pretty interesting so far. I don't get that this kind of mindfulness is "different" from a Bhuddist-type of mindfulness. Seems to be pretty much the same thing. It's about how we don't pay attention and allow our conditioned brains to automatically filter out inf...more
I probably would have never read this book (had I not been forced to for class) on the sheer virtue of its title. It sent me the unequivocal message that this book was going to not only be painfully obvious in its theme, but probably also excruciatingly preachy, going on for 200+ pages about a topic that could be expressed by one word, preferably capitalized, italicized, bolded, and underlined, in 70-point font:
THINK.
Add to that the fact that the original 80s version's cover design (not p...more
My mom gave me this book to read while I'm home visiting and it is a quick read. It was entertaining and informative and I reconsidered many preconceived ideas about old age and really nailed home that your perspective creates your reality. If you think old people are helpless and treat them as such then they will be more likely to act the way they are treated. I have never had a fear of growing old because the majority of the people I respect and view as role models are old people. Everyone is...more
Ellen Langer conducted research on the mind for twelve years in the department of psychology at Harvard and for fifteen years at Yale. She discusses her research on mindfulness and mindlessness as it relates to health, aging, work, discrimination, and every day living. Although the book reads a bit like a doctoral dissertation, it challenges the reader to analyze many things: why first impressions are often faulty; how we can better relate to the elderly; how managers can reduce burnout in the w...more
So many interesting ideas about how different perspectives limit us (premature cognitive commitments, expectations, education for outcome, a belief in linear time, CONTEXT!) and how challenging those perspectives (directly and indirectly) can effect our aging, struggles with addiction, health, and quality of life in general. I liked the insight that Langer gave into the way she developed her experiments.
Though she didn't provide many practical "exercises" for increasing mindfulness, her designs...more
Though she didn't provide many practical "exercises" for increasing mindfulness, her designs...more
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The author is a social science researcher who shares examples of her research into basically reframing and "thinking out of the box" to improve a variety of things from interpersonal relationships, worklife, etc. It an example of a book with a single premise demonstrated over and over with case histories. It was interested and perhaps a little useful but I was looking for something on the spiritual practice of mindfulness.
One of the best books till date I have read due to the fact that it cuts a lot of loose talk which is not backed by research to make it a glossy seller like "blink" etc .The book deals with clear facts and stays on the ground with solidly backed experiments done to back every claim of concept made . Love this book for its simplistic approach and has a lot of dedication that has gone into it.
Wonderful book. I think that "mindlessness" is responsable for car accidents, unjustified police shootings and medical misdiagnosis, among other things. I think that in order to change for the better a person's behavior or attitude, he/she will likely need to be in a mindful state. My only quibble is that some of her descriptions of mindfulness tend to be a bit fuzzy.
I enjoy the concept of "mindfulness."
Langer gives some solid pointers for how to create mindfulness in your day to day life. Examples:
* Create new categories
* Be open to new ideas
* Be aware of different perspectives
Overall - while the topic is solid, I found the book somewhat lacking.
Langer gives some solid pointers for how to create mindfulness in your day to day life. Examples:
* Create new categories
* Be open to new ideas
* Be aware of different perspectives
Overall - while the topic is solid, I found the book somewhat lacking.
Found this irritating. Subtitle should be, "little psychological tricks we like to play on people to show how we're smarter than they are." Left in in airplane seat. Book is 20 years old. I suppose it has more good points than I credit. It isn't about mindfullness like meditation.
I liked how this book touched on various observations I've had, that other books have not. It is a book I want to return to and next time I hope to be a little more mindful as I go through it, so I have something more to post on this review. But yeah, I will note here that people who are into eastern religion and all, will likely be disappointed by this book. For its totally a western view, of being thoughtful, thinking outside of the books, thinking creatively, etc... rather than being mindless...more
It's a rare book that combines empirical research and self-help and a rarer one that does it well. This book even goes beyond any self help the reader may be looking for and offers concepts to be applied on the micro and macro levels of organizations of all sizes.
This book is easy to read and although it is written long time ago it is still very relevant and inspiring. I like that the author speaks about mindfulness in balanced way without going into esotherism and philosophying.
While it was refreshingly straightforward for a required text, I found the plain language slightly disappointing. The statistics on experiments regarding changing your frame of mind were really fascinating, though.
It is truly amazing the power the brain has on the physical body. Reading this book reminds you to be aware of your thoughts and the impact they have on your well being, particularly as we age or as we face adversity.
Not to be confused with the Buddhist kind of mindfulness, although the two have similarities and intersections. I found it worth reading for the prodding to re-examine my world & assumptions in small, daily ways.
Mixing the study of psychology and education, Ellen Langer exposes us to the power of attention. When we change the quality of our attention we change the measurable quantity of our retention.
Not nearly as good as her "mindful learning" book. Just skimmed this. Accretions of case studies and anecdotes don't prove a point. I didn't feel her compassion in this one, either.
Aug 25, 2007
Nash
rated it
1 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
I won't recommend to anyone.
Shelves:
already-read
If you expect this book from Yale's Ph.D. graduate-cum-Harvard Social Psychology Professor to be anything related to Buddhist concept of mindfulness, you're going to be disappointed. Because this book is about clinical type of mindfulness. And although the concept seems remotely similar, the whole idea, purpose, paradigm, etc., is not the same. If you want to know the kind of mindfulness that would help bring you out of suffering and get enlightened in life, try a meditation course or a book bas...more
A good book, free of new-age crap. Langer has written a useful primer for anyone interested in paying more attention to what's actually going on in one's life.
Published in 1989, this book predates the "mindfulness" craze of late. Hers is from a psychological perspective. I read it years ago...and remember liking it.
This is about the psychology of mindfulness, not the practice, but the effects of being less or more mindful, in the areas of aging, work, interpersonal relationships, health, and others. This book scarcely mentions meditation, as it considers that outside its scope. The subject of mindfulness is not complete without such an overview of the psychology of the effects of mindlessness and mindfulness. I just wish it were written better. It's not that it's written poorly, but it's just not very enga...more
Outstanding philosophical but also practical guide to being more present in the world.
Not really mind-blowing, but an interesting book.
Some interesting ideas & information about mindfulness from a Western standpoint.
Jul 14, 2010
Paul
marked it as to-read
Recommended by A Whole New Mind
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Ellen Langer, Yale PhD, Harvard Professor of Psychology, artist. Among other honors, she is the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship and three Distinguished Scientist Awards, the World Congress Award, the NYU Alumni Achievement Award, and the Staats award for Unifying Psychology, and has authored eleven books and over 200 research articles on the illusion of control, perceived control, successful...more
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