Applied Psychology
Last updated: June 04, 2024
Applied psychology takes all our findings from scientific study and aims to take these principles, concepts and methods and turn them into real-life results. Here experts recommend books on all angles of applied psychology.
Clinical psychologists, through cognitive, behavioural or analytic therapies, hope to make us happier and better able to cope with distressing events in our lives. Family and relationship psychologists use talking therapies to help us better communicate with our nearest and dearest. Other applied psychologists offer specialist insight into the human mind to those working in fields like business, police investigation, town planning and education.
Applied psychologists ask questions like: What qualities make a good leader or manager? What stops criminals reoffending? How can we harness what we know about the human mind to repair failing relationships or toxic work environments?
We've spoken to experts like the relationship therapist and bestselling author Mira Kirschenbaum and educational psychologist Jacqueline Leighton, asking them to recommend the best books in their specialist fields of applied psychology.
-
1
The Enigma of Reason: A New Theory of Human Understanding
by Dan Sperber & Hugo Mercier -
2
Knowing Mandela: A Personal Portrait
by John Carlin -
3
The Five Percent: Finding Solutions to Seemingly Impossible Conflicts
by Peter Coleman -
4
Mere Civility: Disagreement and the Limits of Toleration
by Teresa Bejan -
5
Learning Lessons From Waco: When Parties Bring Their Gods to the Negotiation Table
by Jayne Docherty
The best books on Disagreeing Productively, recommended by Ian Leslie
The best books on Disagreeing Productively, recommended by Ian Leslie
Many of us avoid conflict in our relationships with family and friends or at work, but that’s probably a mistake, says Ian Leslie, author of a number of nonfiction books on human behaviour. Here, he recommends books that offer insight into how to disagree productively, from evolutionary biology to 17th century Rhode Island, from Nelson Mandela to seemingly intractable conflicts.
-
1
The Inner Game of Tennis
by W. Timothy Gallwey -
2
Golf Is Not A Game Of Perfect
by Bob Rotella -
3
Zen Putting: Mastering the Mental Game on the Greens
by Joseph Parent -
4
Heads-Up Baseball: Playing the Game One Pitch at a Time
by Ken Ravizza & Tom Hanson -
5
The Champion’s Mind: How Great Athletes Think, Train, And Thrive
by Jim Afremow
The best books on Sports Psychology, recommended by Bill Cole
The best books on Sports Psychology, recommended by Bill Cole
What do you think about when you’re training at the gym, or on the tennis court? And what should you think about, if your goal is maximizing performance and results? Seasoned sports psychologist Bill Cole, coach for numerous Olympic teams and top-level international athletes, reveals that the number one road block to athletic performance often isn’t physical—it’s overthinking.
-
1
Forensic Psychology for Dummies
by David Canter -
2
The Criminal
by Havelock Ellis -
3
Inside the Criminal Mind
by Stanton Samenow -
4
The Psychology of Criminal Conduct: Theory, Research and Practice
by Ronald Blackburn -
5
Introduction to Forensic Psychology: Research and Application
Curtis & Anne Bartol
The best books on Forensic Psychology, recommended by David Canter
The best books on Forensic Psychology, recommended by David Canter
There’s more to criminal psychology than Mindhunter and Silence of the Lambs would have you believe, says the offender profiling pioneer David Canter. Here, he selects five of the best books on forensic psychology.
-
1
The Theory and Practice of Group Psychotherapy
by Irvin D Yalom -
2
Introduction to Cognitive Analytic Therapy: Principles and Practice
by Anthony Ryle & Ian B Kerr -
3
Managing Your Mind: The Mental Fitness Guide
by Gillian Butler, Tony Hope & Nick Grey -
4
What Works for Whom: A Critical Review of Psychotherapy Research
by Anthony Roth & Peter Fonagy -
5
Why Don't I Feel Good Enough?: Using Attachment Theory to Find a Solution
by Helen Dent
The best books on Clinical Psychology, recommended by Susan Llewelyn
The best books on Clinical Psychology, recommended by Susan Llewelyn
Clinical psychologists look at how we feel, how that affects how we behave, and whether we can change. Here, the Oxford academic and clinician Susan Llewelyn discusses five key books in the field of clinical psychology, why clinicians must keep their minds open to new approaches, and why aspiring psychologists should read as many novels as they can.
-
1
The Triple Focus: A New Approach to Education
by Daniel Goleman and Peter Senge -
2
Handbook of Social and Emotional Learning: Research and Practice
by ed. Durlak et al -
3
The Oxford Handbook of Compassion Science
by ed. Seppälä et al -
4
Emotional Alchemy: How the Mind Can Heal the Heart
by Tara Bennett-Goleman -
5
Marrow: Love, Loss, and What Matters Most
by Elizabeth Lesser
The best books on Emotional Intelligence, recommended by Daniel Goleman
The best books on Emotional Intelligence, recommended by Daniel Goleman
We are taught to value intelligence and academic ability, but raw mental firepower does not always translate into success at work or a life of contentment. Just as important are the skills that make up ’emotional intelligence,’ says Daniel Goleman, whose bestselling book popularised the concept. Here he chooses five emotional intelligence books that explore its practical applications.
-
1
Measuring the Mind: Conceptual Issues in Contemporary Psychometrics
by Denny Borsboom -
2
Protocol Analysis: Verbal Reports as Data
by Ericsson and Simon -
3
Knowing What Students Know: The Science and Design of Educational Assessment
by Pellegrino and Chudowsky and Glaser (eds) -
4
How Children Fail
by John Holt -
5
Freedom to Learn
by Carl Rogers
The best books on Educational Testing, recommended by Jacqueline Leighton
The best books on Educational Testing, recommended by Jacqueline Leighton
At school, children get tested a lot. How do those tests impact their learning? How can tests be made fairer? Educational psychologist Jacqueline Leighton introduces the best books in the evolving field of educational testing.
The best books on Leadership, recommended by Brett Wigdortz
Good leaders combine iron will with a dose of humility, says the founder of groundbreaking teaching charity Teach First. He traces leadership skills back to Moses, and tells us about books we can all learn from.
Alastair Campbell on Leadership
Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair’s former communications chief, takes a look at leadership in politics and in sport, recognising that ordinary citizens can show courageous moral leadership
The best books on Happiness at Work, recommended by Jessica Pryce-Jones
The CEO of iOpener, a human asset management consultancy, explains how you can increase happiness and thus productivity in the workplace. She picks five essential reads for bosses and employees.