Best Popular Psychology Research Books of 2025

Stop Overthinking by Nick Trenton is a comprehensive guide that offers 23 techniques to relieve stress, stop negative spirals, declutter your mind, and focus on the present. Trenton, who has a background in economics and behavioral psychology, provides readers with proven methods to overcome stress attacks and identify their inner anxieties. The book also includes scientific approaches to help readers change their mental habits and thought patterns. Overall, Stop Overthinking is an excellent resource for those looking to break free from their self-imposed mental prisons and live a worry-free life.

If you've ever wondered how to read people without them saying a word, then "Read People Like a Book" is the book for you. Written by internationally bestselling author and social skills coach Patrick King, this book goes beyond body language and facial expressions to delve into human psychology and nature. King provides techniques on how to understand human motivation, detect lies, and analyze personality. This book is like a cheat code that will allow you to see through people's actions and words. Overall, "Read People Like a Book" is an interesting and applicable psychology textbook that will increase your emotional intelligence and help you forge deep connections with others.

Better Small Talk is an essential read for anyone looking to improve their conversational skills. In this book, Patrick King provides actionable tips and tricks to help readers make a memorable impression, connect with others, and build real rapport. From simple warm-up exercises to specific dialogues and questions, this book covers it all. King draws from scientific research, academic experience, coaching, and real-life experience to provide a comprehensive guide to better small talk. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone looking to improve their social skills and become more likable and charismatic.

Improving your conversations and social interactions can be daunting. However, Patrick King's book "Improv(e) Your Conversations" offers practical and insightful tips to help readers become more confident and engaging communicators. By drawing from the rules of improv comedy, King provides an array of frameworks and templates to help readers escape small talk and build rapport. The book covers over 15 actionable techniques, including how to always know what to say, how to prevent awkward silences, and how to read people better. Overall, "Improv(e) Your Conversations" is an excellent resource for anyone looking to enhance their communication skills and make lasting connections.

The Gift of Therapy by Irvin D. Yalom is a must-read for therapists and patients alike. The book offers 85 personal and thought-provoking tips for beginner therapists, based on the author's 35 years of clinical practice. Yalom's fresh approach and valuable insights are presented through real case studies, making it an entertaining and insightful read for anyone interested in the subject. Yalom's writing style is engaging and humorous, making complex ideas easy to understand. Overall, The Gift of Therapy is an essential guidebook that enriches the therapeutic process and offers valuable lessons for improving relationships and self-understanding.

The sixth edition of Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches by John W. Creswell and J. David Creswell is an exceptional guide for designing research projects or developing research proposals. The book provides clear and concise instruction on research methods, addressing qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. The authors use numerous examples from a wide variety of disciplines to encourage readers to choose the approach that best fits the research question. The book has been updated to reflect the latest developments in mixed methods, best practices, and new trends in research. Overall, this book is an invaluable resource for anyone involved in social science methodology research.

The Art of Witty Banter is a guide to mastering the art of clever and witty conversation. The author, Patrick King, breaks down the mechanics of banter and charm to help readers become quick-witted and charismatic. With specific examples and phrases to use in daily conversations, readers will learn how to handle, defend, disarm, and engage others with ease. This book is a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their communication skills and build better relationships. Overall, The Art of Witty Banter is a must-read for anyone looking to become more likable and charismatic.

The Overthinking Cure by Nick Trenton is a well-written and informative book that offers practical solutions to help readers break free from negative thought patterns that cause stress and anxiety. Trenton provides scientifically proven techniques to help readers rewire their brains and control their thoughts. The book also offers tips on shifting perspectives to positivity, destroying the toxic habit of rumination, and seeing the world in shades of grey. This emotional self-help book is a must-read for anyone who wants to overcome overthinking and live in the present moment.

How to Listen with Intention: The Foundation of True Connection, Communication, and Relationships by Patrick King is a must-read for anyone looking to improve their communication and social skills. The book teaches readers how to connect with others, develop trust, and build deep relationships through the art of deep listening. King draws on scientific research, coaching, and real-life experience to explain the most damaging mindsets for listening, how to emulate the best listeners, and how to use listening styles, frames, and levels to become a trusted ally and source of comfort. Overall, this book is an excellent guide for anyone looking to improve their interpersonal skills and make meaningful connections with others.

How to Listen, Hear, and Validate by Patrick King is a guide to building deep connections with others through effective communication. The book focuses on the importance of validating others' feelings and understanding their perspectives, and provides actionable techniques to improve empathy and active listening. King draws on scientific research, coaching experience, and personal struggles to offer practical advice for cultivating meaningful relationships. This book is a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their communication and social skills.