| Description |
xiv, 234 pages ; 22 cm |
| Contents |
1. Introduction ---- Part I. Mindlessness. 2. When the Lightʹs on and Nobodyʹs Home --- 3. The Roots of Mindlessness --- 3. The Costs of Mindlessness ---- Part II. Mindfulness. 5. The Nature of Mindfulness --- 6. Mindful aging --- 7. Creative uncertainty --- 8. Mindfulness on the job --- 9. Decreasing Prejudice by Increasing Discrimination --- 10. Minding Matters: Mindfulness and Health ---- Epilogue: Beyond Mindfulness |
| Summary |
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 -- develop mindsets of categories, associations, habits of thought born of repetition in childhood and throughout schooling. To be mindful, she notes, stressing process over outcome, allows free rein to intuition and creativity, and opens us to new information and perspectives.Langer discusses the negative impact of mindsets on business and social relations, showing special concern for the elderly, who often suffer from learned helplessness and lack of options. Encouraging the application of mindfulness to health, the author affirms that placebos and alternative, mind-based therapies can help patients and addicts move from unhealthy to healthy contexts. -- Publisher description |
| Notes |
"A Merloyd Lawrence book." |
|
Includes index |
| Bibliography |
Bibliography: pages 205-224 |
| Audience |
General (US: Trade) Undergraduate Professional & Scholarly |
| Subject |
Attention.
|
|
Consciousness.
|
|
Mental efficiency.
|
|
Stupidity.
|
|
Thought and thinking.
|
| LC no. |
88033293 |
| ISBN |
0201095025 |
|
0201523418 (paperback) |
|
