Richard Wiseman

Richard Wiseman is a British psychologist, author, and former magician who currently serves as Professor of the Public Understanding of Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire. He has gained recognition for his research into luck, deception, the paranormal, and the science of the seemingly impossible. Wiseman's work spans multiple bestselling books including "The Luck Factor," "59 Seconds," and "Quirkology." His research has been featured in leading academic journals and he regularly appears in international media discussing psychological phenomena and debunking paranormal claims. Starting his career as a professional magician in London's Covent Garden, Wiseman later earned his Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Edinburgh. His background in magic and psychology has informed his unique approach to studying human behavior and perception. Through his YouTube channels Quirkology and In59Seconds, Wiseman presents psychological insights and experiments to a wide audience. He serves as a fellow for the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry and has delivered keynote addresses to organizations including The Royal Society, Google, and Amazon.

Readers appreciate Wiseman's ability to translate complex psychology concepts into practical, actionable advice. His clear writing style and use of research-backed examples resonates with those seeking self-improvement tips. What readers liked: - Concise chapters with specific, implementable suggestions - Inclusion of scientific studies and research data - Humor and engaging writing style - Debunking of common psychological myths What readers disliked: - Some find the advice too basic or obvious - Repetition of material across different books - Claims that certain studies referenced are outdated - "Surface-level" treatment of complex topics Average ratings: Goodreads: - 59 Seconds: 3.87/5 (14,000+ ratings) - The Luck Factor: 3.82/5 (3,000+ ratings) - Quirkology: 3.79/5 (5,000+ ratings) Amazon: - 59 Seconds: 4.4/5 - The Luck Factor: 4.3/5 - Quirkology: 4.2/5 One frequent comment from readers: "Wiseman excels at making psychology accessible, but don't expect deep academic analysis."

59 Seconds Scientific research distilled into quick life improvement techniques covering happiness, persuasion, motivation, creativity, and relationships.

The Luck Factor Research-based examination of why some people are consistently luckier than others and the four principles that influence good fortune.

Paranormality Investigation into the science behind supernatural phenomena, exploring how the mind creates paranormal experiences.

Quirkology Exploration of unusual psychological experiments and their insights into human behavior and decision-making.

Night School Scientific look at sleep and dreaming, including practical advice for improving sleep quality and understanding sleep science.

Did You Spot the Gorilla? Analysis of how people miss obvious information and ways to enhance awareness in everyday life.

:-) Scientific investigation into how small changes in behavior can significantly impact happiness and wellbeing.

Rip It Up Examination of how changing physical behavior can lead to psychological changes, based on the As If principle.

Self Help: The Science Bit Critical analysis of popular self-help claims measured against scientific evidence and research.

Dan Ariely A behavioral economist who explores human irrationality and decision-making through scientific experiments and real-world applications. His work combines academic research with practical insights about why people behave in predictable yet irrational ways.

Mary Roach She investigates scientific topics through immersive research and interviews with experts in fields ranging from space travel to digestion. Her research methodology and writing style blend serious science with observations about human nature and behavior.

Stuart Vyse A psychologist focusing on superstition, critical thinking, and why humans believe in supernatural phenomena. He examines the psychology behind irrational beliefs using empirical research and historical context.

Bruce Hood He studies how the brain creates illusions and why humans are predisposed to supernatural thinking and beliefs. His research connects neuroscience with everyday human behavior and cultural phenomena.

Michael Shermer The founder of Skeptic magazine applies scientific thinking to examine paranormal claims and popular beliefs. His work combines psychology research with investigations of pseudoscience and human belief systems.