Sway

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Uncovers the science behind our "unintentional" biases using real world stories underpinned by scientific theories and r... (more)

Uncovers the science behind our "unintentional" biases using real world stories underpinned by scientific theories and research. Experiments have shown that our brains categorize people by race in less than one-tenth of a second, about 50 milliseconds before determining sex. This means that we are labeling people by race and associating certain characteristics to them without even hearing them speak or getting to know them. This subtle cognitive process starts in the amygdala, the area of the brain associated with strong emotions. Does this mean that unconscious biases are hardwired into our brains as an evolutionary response, or do they emerge from assimilating information that we see around us? In Sway, author Pragya Agarwal uncovers the science behind our "unintentional" biases. Using real world stories underpinned by scientific theories and research, this book unravels the way our unconscious biases are affecting the way we communicate, make decisions and perceive the world. A wide range of implicit biases are covered, including left-handedness, age-ism, sexism and aversive racism, and by using research and theories from a wide range of disciplines, including social science, psychology, biology and neuroscience, readers learn how these biases manifest and whether there is anything we can do about them. Beginning with an introduction to what unconscious bias actually is, each chapter answers questions such as: -Do our roots for prejudice lie in our evolutionary past? -What happens in our brains when our biases are activated? -How has bias affected technology? -Can we ever completely get rid of unconscious bias? At a time when race politics, the gender pay gap and diversity and inclusivity in the workplace are dominating our conversations, understanding how unconscious bias functions within all of us is more important than ever. The book encourages readers to think, understand and evaluate their own biases in a scientific and non-judgmental way. (less)

Sway is a thoroughly researched and comprehensive look at unconscious bias and how it impacts day-to-day life, from job ... (more)

Sway is a thoroughly researched and comprehensive look at unconscious bias and how it impacts day-to-day life, from job interviews to romantic relationships to saving for retirement. It covers a huge number of sensitive topics - sexism, racism, ageism, homophobia, colourism - with tact, and combines statistics with stories to paint a fuller picture and enhance understanding. Throughout, Pragya clearly delineates theories with a solid grounding in science, answering questions such as: do our roots for prejudice lie in our evolutionary past? What happens in our brains when we are biased? How has bias affected technology? If we don't know about it, are we really responsible for it? At a time when partisan political ideologies are taking center stage, and we struggle to make sense of who we are and who we want to be, it is crucial that we understand why we act the way we do. This book will enables us to open our eyes to our own biases in a scientific and non-judgmental way. (less)

From a dazzling new voice in middle grade lit comes this funny, moving novel about family, forgiveness, and the power of... (more)

From a dazzling new voice in middle grade lit comes this funny, moving novel about family, forgiveness, and the power of make-believe. (less)

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Like the bestselling Blink and Freakonomics, this lively narrative is a fresh view of the world, explaining the previous... (more)

Like the bestselling Blink and Freakonomics, this lively narrative is a fresh view of the world, explaining the previously inexplicable and revealing hidden influences on human decision-making. A Harvard Business School student pays over $200 for a $200 bill. Washington, DC commuters ignore a free subway concert by a violin prodigy. A veteran airline pilot attempts to take off without control tower clearance and collides with another plane on the runway. Why do we do the wildly irrational things we sometimes do? Drawing on cutting-edge research from the fields of social psychology, behavioral economics, and organizational behavior, brothers Ori and Rom Brafman reveal the dynamic forces that act on us repeatedly over time, affecting nearly every aspect of our personal and business lives. They show how we are sabotaged by loss aversion (going to great lengths to avoid perceived losses), the diagnosis bias (ignoring evidence that contradicts our initial take on a person or situation), and commitment (even when a plan isn't working, we are reluctant to change course). Weaving together colorful stories--about dot-com millionaires, game show audiences, NBA coaches, and the US Supreme Court--tours the flip side of reason and points us toward a more rational life. (less)

An intelligent and affecting drama that follows lives of three couples living in three worldly cities, Sway reflects on ... (more)

An intelligent and affecting drama that follows lives of three couples living in three worldly cities, Sway reflects on the excitements and struggles of immigrant experience in the age of globalization when individuals have become more mobile but also more rootless than ever. In Paris, Arthur tries to convince his girlfriend to return to Asia together with him before his visa expires. In Bangkok, June ponders her future with husband Palm in America. And in Los Angeles, Amanda tries to fit into the family of a Japanese widower still haunted by their loss. (less)