Best Medical Social Psychology & Interactions Books of 2025

Atomic Habits is a personal transformation self-help book that provides readers with an easy and proven way to build good habits and break bad ones. Written by James Clear and published by Avery, the book gives practical advice on how to change one's behavior by making small, incremental changes. Clear emphasizes the importance of focusing on the process rather than the outcome and provides readers with actionable steps to help them achieve their goals. Overall, Atomic Habits is a well-written and insightful book that is a must-read for anyone looking to improve their habits and achieve their goals.

Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek explores why some teams work together while others fail. Sinek observed that great leaders create environments where people trust each other and work together to achieve remarkable things. He calls this environment a "Circle of Safety," which separates the security inside the team from the challenges outside. Sinek uses real stories from the military, business, and government to illustrate his ideas. The book has an expanded chapter and appendix on leading millennials, based on Sinek's viral video "Millennials in the workplace." Overall, Leaders Eat Last is a thought-provoking book that provides valuable insights into building a successful team.

The Psychology of Totalitarianism by Mattias Desmet is a thought-provoking book that deconstructs the societal conditions that allow collective psychosis to take hold, leading to the emergence of totalitarian regimes. The author identifies the phenomenon of "mass formation" and clearly illustrates how close we are to surrendering to such regimes. The book provides detailed analyses, examples, and results from years of research, laying out the steps that lead toward mass formation. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the societal and psychological factors that contribute to totalitarianism.

My Grandmother's Hands by Resmaa Menakem is a groundbreaking book that examines the damage caused by racism in America from the perspective of trauma and body-centered psychology. Menakem argues that racism is deeply embedded in our bodies and until we heal the generational anguish of white supremacy, the destruction will continue. The book offers a step-by-step healing process based on the latest neuroscience and somatic healing methods, in addition to incisive social commentary. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the impact of racism on our bodies and minds and how to heal from it.

The Citizen's Guide to Fifth Generation Warfare is an eye-opening series by Lieutenant General, U.S. Army (Retired) Michael T. Flynn and Sergeant, U.S. Army (Retired) Boone Cutler. The first session, Introduction to 5GW, provides an easy-to-understand guide to the war of narratives being waged on our minds, covering topics such as social media tactics, artificial intelligence manipulation, and national and international political events. The book includes a special QR code that takes the reader to continually updated information from Flynn and Cutler at no cost. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the manipulation happening around us and explain why we feel the way we do.

For the Culture by Marcus Collins is a thought-provoking book that argues that culture is the most powerful vehicle for influencing behavior. The author uses his experience as an award-winning marketer to show readers how to harness culture to inspire others to share their vision. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand how culture impacts the world around us and how they can create impactful contributions. The author delivers his smart ideas in accessible prose, making it a superior program on how the business world can use the interplay between culture, consumption, and identity to their advantage.

Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging by Sebastian Junger is an insightful book exploring the human need for tribal connections and the impact of their absence in modern society. Junger draws on history, psychology, and anthropology to explain why we are stronger when we come together and how this can be achieved in today's divided world. He also sheds light on the experiences of combat veterans, highlighting the loss of closeness that comes at the end of deployment and the impact it has on their mental health. A thought-provoking read that offers a unique perspective on the human quest for meaning and belonging.

The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion by Jonathan Haidt is a thought-provoking book that challenges conventional thinking about morality, politics, and religion. Haidt draws on his groundbreaking research on moral psychology to show how moral judgments arise from gut feelings, not reason. He explains why people with different political beliefs have different intuitions about right and wrong and why each side is right about many of its central concerns. This book is a landmark contribution to humanity's understanding of itself and is highly recommended for anyone interested in understanding the miracle of human cooperation and the curse of our eternal divisions and conflicts.

The Chaos Machine is an eye-opening account of the inner workings of social media and how it has impacted our world. Max Fisher, a New York Times investigative reporter, delves into the psychological tactics used by social media giants to drive engagement and increase profits. He also explores the devastating consequences of their actions, including the spread of hate speech and misinformation that has led to a polarized society. Fisher weaves together stories of those who have raised the alarm and defected from Silicon Valley to reveal what is happening behind closed doors. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the power of social media and its impact on our lives.

The Somatic Psychotherapy Toolbox is a comprehensive guide for mental health therapists who want to incorporate somatic techniques into their daily practice. With over 25 years of clinical experience, Manuela Mischke-Reeds provides a range of highly-effective interventions for trauma, stress, and PTSD, including mindfulness techniques and breath work. The book includes worksheets that can be downloaded and printed, making it easy for therapists to use with clients. The unique categorization of the tools makes it easy to find the most suitable intervention for any particular client. Overall, this book is a must-read for therapists who want to incorporate somatic approaches into their practice.