If we could turn back the clock psychologically, could we also turn it back physically? For more than thirty years, award-winning social psychologi...
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reviews
Jun 22, 2010
MM
rated it: 
I was curious to know more about the "counterclockwise" experiment Langer ran -- bringing elderly men together, prompting them to act like it was still the 50s, and then finding that their physical health improved after the experiment. So that was interesting, yes, and Langer cites all kinds of interesting psychological studies. But I can't help but wonder why the social psychologists don't seem to be in conversation with the critical theorists, cultural studies folks, or feminists. Al
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Oct 04, 2009
Dave
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I think this book has interesting and important messages, but it is a bit repetitive on making the key points. Some areas explored include (1) being mindful of our health as a continuum and not a binary condition of "healthy" or "ill", (2) being careful of labels and the mechanical approach to medicine that doesn't recognize individuality, (3) not taking diagnoses and prognoses as 100% reliable, and (4) the effects of priming on setting our expectations for aging, rather tha
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May 08, 2011
Leslie
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This book stretches your perceptions of possibility for the ways people look at their health. For example, reading an eye chart from top to bottom causes people to be able to read fewer lines than if it were reorganized so that they were first trying to read small letters and working up to bigger ones. Apparently, this may be due to the different ways our brains interpret an imminent barrier as opposed to an imminent opportunity. Dr. Langer goes through decades of psychological research looki
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Jan 29, 2012
Gita
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An absolutely amazing book that provides new perspectives on aging, mindset, perception, and our personal influence over our life experiences. As a music therapist & yoga instructor, I found the theoretical basis for her theories sound, and am encouraged by her scientific approach to researching how our perceptions shape our health. Her clear definition of mindfulness, loosely paraphrased here as "the simple process of actively noticing distinctions" is one of the best explanations I'v
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Jun 10, 2011
Jennifer
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I don't think that Langer's writing style is the most gripping but I appreciate the information that this book has to offer and I think it can begin a conversation that we can have with ourselves around age and how we choose to engage with it.
Jul 12, 2009
Klbell2
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This book has an important message. The first chapter discusses some really important ideas. There are tidbits through out that are very interesting but it isn't the best read.
Jan 25, 2010
Kristine
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A short read containing some v. interesting reports of social psychological experiments with thought-provoking implications. Writing isn't especially engaging; somewhat repetitious, too.
Oct 29, 2011
Blake
rated it:
Fantastic subject matter and one of the most Buddhist-centric medical books I've read. Though it is highly repetitious and never excels beyond its initial point. Still, I'd highly recommend taking a glance through it.
Apr 19, 2010
Linda
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Book has interesting insights about recognizing how health is contextual and that by recognizing degrees of personal heath improvement, one can improve one's health. This concept is repeated throughout the book which is why I did not give this book 5 stars.
Jan 21, 2010
Caffection
rated it:
Interesting topic. Understanding our ability to exchange our own (mis)beliefs to ones which suit us better can serve us well.
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