Bruce Hood

Bruce Hood is a British experimental psychologist and professor at the University of Bristol, specializing in developmental psychology and cognitive neuroscience. His research focuses on how the brain develops and the origins of supernatural thinking. Hood has authored several popular science books including "SuperSense: Why We Believe in the Unbelievable" (2009), "The Self Illusion: How the Social Brain Creates Identity" (2012), and "Possessed: Why We Want More Than We Need" (2019). His work explores concepts like magical thinking, the nature of consciousness, and human behavior related to ownership and materialism. As Director of the Bristol Cognitive Development Centre, Hood conducts research on how children develop their understanding of the world. His studies have examined topics ranging from intuitive physics to how young people comprehend invisible entities like germs and mental states. Hood frequently appears as a public speaker and science communicator, having delivered the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures in 2011 and received the Public Engagement and Media Awards from the British Psychological Society. He has been elected a Fellow of the American Psychological Society and the British Academy.

Readers appreciate Hood's ability to explain complex neuroscience and psychology concepts in accessible language. His books receive consistent praise for blending scientific research with everyday examples and personal anecdotes. What readers liked: - Clear explanations of difficult concepts - Use of research studies and experimental evidence - Balance between academic rigor and readability - Integration of real-world examples What readers disliked: - Some sections become overly technical - Occasional repetition of key points - Some readers found conclusions too tentative Average ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - SuperSense: 3.9/5 (2,100+ ratings) - The Self Illusion: 3.8/5 (1,800+ ratings) - Possessed: 3.7/5 (400+ ratings) Amazon: Average 4.2/5 across all books Common reader feedback includes "makes neuroscience accessible" and "thought-provoking research examples." Critical reviews often mention "could be more concise" or "gets bogged down in technical details."

The Self Illusion (2012) An examination of how the brain creates our sense of identity and consciousness, drawing from cognitive science and neuroscience research.

SuperSense (2009) An analysis of why humans tend to believe in supernatural phenomena, exploring the cognitive mechanisms behind intuitive beliefs.

The Science of Why (2019) A collection of explanations for common psychological phenomena and behaviors, based on scientific research.

The Domesticated Brain (2014) An exploration of how human social interaction and culture have influenced brain development throughout evolution.

Stay Smart: 100 Brain Exercises to Keep Your Mind Fit (2021) A compilation of cognitive exercises and explanations of their effects on brain function and mental performance.

The Mind Explained (2019) A companion book to the Netflix series, examining various aspects of human consciousness and cognitive processes.

Steven Pinker writes about psychology, cognition, and human behavior from an evolutionary perspective. His work examines how the mind works and the role of nature versus nurture, similar to Hood's exploration of the human brain and behavior.

Daniel Kahneman focuses on decision-making processes and cognitive biases in human thinking. His research on behavioral economics and psychology provides insights into why people make irrational choices, complementing Hood's work on how the brain constructs our reality.

Michael Shermer investigates belief systems, pseudoscience, and the psychology of why people believe strange things. His analysis of supernatural thinking and skepticism parallels Hood's examination of supersense and magical thinking.

V.S. Ramachandran studies neuroscience and discusses brain disorders to reveal how normal brain function creates consciousness. His case studies and explanations of neurological phenomena align with Hood's interest in how the brain shapes our perception of reality.

Paul Bloom examines human nature through developmental psychology and moral reasoning. His research on how children develop beliefs and moral intuitions connects with Hood's work on cognitive development and innate behaviors.