Redirect: The Surprising New Science of Psychological Change [Hardcover]

Timothy D. Wilson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 8, 2011

What if there were a magic pill that could make you happier, turn you into a better parent, solve a number of your teenager's behavior problems, reduce racial prejudice, and close the achievement gap in education? Well, there is no such magic pill-but there is a new scientifically based approach called story editing that can accomplish all of this. It works by redirecting the stories we tell about ourselves and the world around us, with subtle prompts, in ways that lead to lasting change. In Redirect, world-renowned psychologist Timothy Wilson shows how story-editing works and how you can use it in your everyday life.

The other surprising news is that many existing approaches-from the multi-billion dollar self-help industry to programs that discourage drug use and drinking-don't work at all. In fact, some even have the opposite effect. Most programs are not adequately tested, many do not work, and some even do harm. For example, there are programs that have inadvertently made people unhappy, raised the crime rate, increased teen pregnancy, and even hastened people's deaths-in part by failing to redirect people's stories in healthy ways.

In short, Wilson shows us what works, what doesn't, and why. Fascinating, groundbreaking, and practical, Redirect demonstrates the remarkable power small changes can have on the ways we see ourselves and the world around us, and how we can use this in our everyday lives. In the words of David G. Myers, "With wit and wisdom, Wilson shows us how to spare ourselves worthless (or worse) interventions, think smarter, and live well."

Editorial Reviews

Review

"There are few academics who write with as much grace and wisdom as Timothy Wilson. Redirect is a masterpiece." (Malcolm Gladwell )

"This glorious book shimmers with insights-an instant classic that will be discussed and quoted for generations. One of the great psychologists of our time, Timothy Wilson has distilled the field's wisdom and shown us how to use it to change ourselves and the world. This may well be the single most important psychology book ever written. Not to be missed!" (Daniel Gilbert, author of Stumbling on Happiness )

"With a deft narrative touch, an engaging metaphor for bringing about psychological change (personal story editing), and a ferocious commitment to scientific evidence, Timothy Wilson has made a remarkable contribution to knowledge." (Robert Cialdini, author of Influence: Science and Practice )

"Is it possible to reinvent ourselves, transform our children, and improve our communities? Professor Timothy Wilson proposes an idea that many readers will find revolutionary - namely, that the most effective methods are often deceptively simple. What matters most is not pressuring the people that we want to change, but subtly helping them to shift the stories that they tell about themselves. Whether you are a parent, educator, employer, or simply someone who cares about making the world a better place, you should read this book." (Sonja Lyubomirsky, Ph.D., professor of psychology at the University of California, Riverside, and author of The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want )

"Wilson convincingly argues that our conscious minds are but the tip of the iceberg in deciding how we behave, what is important to us, and how we feel...A fascinating read." (Library Journal )

"Redirect is a great book! In his uniquely engaging way, Wilson shows how simple techniques can deliver large and lasting personal changes--and convinces us that only good research can give us these techniques." (Carol Dweck, PhD, author of Mindset )

"Wouldn't it be amazing if a very smart scientist could write a book on happiness, crime, violence, drug and alcohol abuse, parenting, and teenage pregnancy-and sum up all the research in clear and surprising lessons on how we should live our lives? Well, Timothy Wilson is the scientist and Redirect is the book, and it is in fact amazing." (Daniel M. Wegner, Harvard University, author of The Illusion of Conscious Will )

"Renowned social psychologist Timothy Wilson writes for those of us who want to make a real difference in our worlds (and not just to fool ourselves into thinking we're doing so). With wit and wisdom, he shows us how to spare ourselves worthless (or worse) interventions, think smarter, and live well." (David G. Myers, Hope College, author of The Pursuit of Happiness )

"One of the foremost psychologists of our time, Timothy Wilson shows us that solving endemic social problems and making ourselves happier, healthier, and more successful is within our grasp. Redirect reveals the hidden meanings we assume in our everyday lives, how these meanings shape our behavior, and how we can change our assumptions and the world. Extraordinary." (Greg Walton, PhD, Department of Psychology, Stanford University )

"Timothy Wilson's book Redirect reminds me why I became a social psychologist. Without solid laboratory and real world research, some of society's most important decisions can easily be guided by faulty beliefs. The genius of Wilson's book is that it points out how mistakes can be made and, at the same time, how research can help us to correct these errors. This should be required reading for any well-intentioned person who wants to make the world a better place. It brings together central issues in psychology, public policy, community activism, and science." (James W. Pennebaker, Professor and Chair of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, and Author of The Secret Life of Pronouns )

"This presents a fascinating argument for how humans make sense of the world." (Library Journal )

"Accessible, engaging and consistently WTF-worthy...an instant classic of popular science." (Evening Standard )

"[In Redirect], a keen observer of the human condition explains how tweaking our personal narratives can have a huge effect on our lives." (Kirkus Reviews )

"For those...who find in social psychology a viable vehicle for leading us more surely on the path towards what is true, right and good, REDIRECT is likely to be a stimulating, valuable read." (New Scientist Culture Lab )

"In clear prose that does not trivialize the science, Wilson reviews the many success stories in social psychology....As the scientist Paul C. Stern once wrote, a policy objective of science is to 'separate common sense from common nonsense and make uncommon sense more common.' Wilson's book does science and society a great service by accomplishing precisely this." (Science )

"Particularly when criticizing various failed social policies and programs, REDIRECT is sensible and reasonably convincing. Wilson...knows his behavioral research and is a fair and careful critic." (Boston Globe )

"REDIRECT is a 10-chapter treasure trove of information on various aspects of social psychology....The man who wrote REDIRECT is patently honest and fair in his assessments of all the barriers keeping any of us from being all we can, and might, be....[It's] a book to stir all of one's human instincts and curiosity." (Daily Progress )

Review

“There are few academics who write with as much grace and wisdom as Timothy Wilson. Redirect is a masterpiece.”
       —Malcolm Gladwell (Malcolm Gladwell ) --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown and Company; 1 edition (September 8, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9780316051880
• ISBN-13: 978-0316051880
• ASIN: 0316051888
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 1 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #41,922 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Timothy D. Wilson is Sherrell J. Aston Professor of Psychology at the University of Virginia. He received his B.A. from Hampshire College and his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. He is a social psychologist who has investigated unconscious processing, the limits of introspection, the consequences of introspection, affective forecasting, and happiness. In 2001 he received an All University Outstanding Teaching Award. In 2009 was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and in 2010 he received the University of Virginia Distinguished Scientist Award. Wilson is the author of Strangers to Ourselves: Discovering the Adaptive Unconscious, published by Harvard University Press. Malcolm Gladwell wrote in the New Yorker that "Strangers to Ourselves" . . . is what popular psychology ought to be (and rarely is): thoughtful, beautifully written, and full of unexpected insights." On his web page Gladwell says, "In Blink, I probably owe a bigger intellectual debt to Tim Wilson (and his longtime collaborator, Jonathan Schooler) than anyone else, and Strangers to Ourselves is probably the most influential book I've ever read." Wilson is the coauthor of the best-selling text, Social Psychology (Prentice-Hall), now in its seventh edition.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

222 of 245 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Not for Personal Change September 11, 2011

By DiamondJag

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is not really a book on what I consider "psychological" change but rather a book on "social" change. The difference being change yourself or change society. I thought this would be a book on personal change. Not so. I found the subtitle somewhat deceiving, "The surprising new science of psychological change". I should be, "The surprising new science of social change". I bought the book when it just came out, before you were able to look "inside" the book on Amazon. If I had seen the chapter headings I would not have bought it; Reducing Prejudice, Reducing Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Reducing Teenage Violence, Preventing Teenage Pregnancies, etc. All worthy subjects but not subjects that directly apply to changing yourself. The only personal use from this book that I found was in the first chapter, which is also the title of the book, "Redirect". In it Wilson talks about "story editing" (tell yourself a different story), "story prompting" (someone else tells you a different story) and "do good be good" (acting like the change before the change occurs). This didn't seem very new and what I've pretty much found in other self help books, reprogram the beliefs in your mind, and "be within when you're without", "act the part before you can be the part" in other words, act like what you want to become and that's what you will become.

This review is not totally fair. Although it's not the book I thought it would be, if you approach it knowing it's directed at social change, then it's worth reading. The strong suite of the book is the research documentation. You also have to credit Wilson with standing up for the research that says popular programs such as D.A.R.E (drug program in schools) and CISD (Critical Incident Stress Debriefing) and some other such methods and programs don't work, then telling you what research has shown does work. Another strong point of the book is that at the end of each chapter he has a section called "Using It" where he tells you how you can use the information that was presented in the chapter.

If you want to change others or the world, this book may be for you. If you want to change yourself, look elsewhere.

81 of 91 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars redirect August 30, 2011

By Alla S. VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

In "Redirect," Timothy Wilson focuses on psychological strategies of changing one's way of viewing life and re-directing their thought processes to become more optimistic. Popular strategies that Wilson uses in his book include story-editing (which is refocusing one's view on a particular problem: e.g. the student who attributes his failed test to being stupid, versus a student who attributes his failed test to not enough studying--as a basic example of this premise), using writing as a way of coming to terms with a problem, and much more.

Besides discussing the actual strategies, Wilson devotes many chapters to problems where they may be well utilized. Chapters cover a slew of social problems such as underage violence, teen pregnancies, racial discrimination, drug and alcohol abuse, becoming better parents, and closing the achievement gap between students. While the initial portion of the book focuses on increasing one's personal well-being, the majority of the book is focused on addressing these popular problems by implementing Wilson's strategies.

Overall, I found Wilson's book to be an interesting and useful guide to re-framing one's way of viewing the world. An important thought that Wilson mentions in his book is that positive thoughts alone don't mean anything--it is positive behavior that ultimately makes the changes. However, positive behavior is unlikely to come about without positive thoughts. And re-framing one's way at looking at things, is the only way that positive thoughts can come about. I found the book to be both helpful and informational.

168 of 202 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Misdirect: This is a book by a social psychologist about solving social problems and not really a book about personal change September 25, 2011

By GirlScoutDad

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a very challenging book to review: after all, it's written by a prominent university professor, endorsed by many other professors, and given superlative reviews here at Amazon.com, where (inexplicably) it is described as a extraordinary masterpiece capable of personal transformation of the reader. Moreover, one of the recurring messages of the book is that the author wields the power of scientific study, with the implication that the rest of us are unqualified to disagree since we're incapable of conducting randomized studies of our own from the comfort of our living rooms. Therefore, I go out on a limb a bit with this negative review, so I ask for some indulgence from the reader as I proceed.

Perhaps it is not entirely Timothy Wilson's fault that his book has been hideously misrepresented and grossly overhyped in the Amazon.com review,but the same unjustified and fulsome paean of praise appears on the back and inside covers of the book itself, and that's the reason I bought and read the book, but the bottom line is that this is an abysmal book for anyone looking for guidance as to personal change, although it serves well as a readable, though incomplete, social psychology textbook. In short, many readers such as myself have been "misdirected" into buying copies of "Redirect." Here's why.

Most psychotherapists practice the techniques of "cognitive therapy" (sometimes referred to as "cognitive-behavioral therapy"), a method of counseling intended to reduce or "reframe" the patient's negative, crippling, disempowering views of themselves and their worlds. You need to be a licensed mental health professional to practice cognitive therapy. Academics and social scientists who are not licensed cannot practice therapy, but the author here describes the same methods as cognitive therapy under the label "story editing" (alternatively at times "story prompting"). "Story editing" is not really very different from "cognitive therapy" as the author himself acknowledges on page 13 of the book; rather it is the non-clinical equivalent of cognitive therapy for those not licensed to practice therapy. Thus, the reader interested in personal change is better off 'redirected' to books about cognitive therapy. Read this book only if you want to read about how to address societal ills such as teen pregnancy, campus drinking, social prejudice, and how to deter at-risk youths from delinquency. Most of the book is about these social problems, and very little is about personal change and transformation. If you bought this book based on the lavish reviews looking for personal insight, you probably felt, as I did, ripped off once you got into the meat of it and realized you were reading hundreds of pages of studies of the efficacy of social intervention programs.

After an introductory chapter, there is a chapter describing the experimental method to lay persons. This chapter on scientific methodology will be irrelevant to individuals already trained in science, and rather tedious to untrained individuals. This chapter is also problematic in that it conveys the message that only those who conduct randomized scientific studies may judge which programs are worthwhile and which are not. I won't take a position arguing against scientific inquiry, but I do note that from this point on, Wilson has established himself as the authority on how to cure society's ills and anyone who dares to disagree is implicitly labeled as speaking from bias or ignorance. After this tedious chapter, there are the following chapters, with the author's primary recommendations, for anyone interested in pursing the details in the book itself:

Achieving personal happiness: Wilson recommends that you find personal meaning in your life (p.49) and that you make a lot of friends in order to build strong social connections (p.51). Of course, neither of these recommendations are original.

Raising healthy kids: the author recommends that you: don't label your kids, don't spoil them with material things, and be sure to praise them when they make an effort at things (p.102).

The problem of teen pregnancy: encourage community service work because girls who get involved in volunteer work feel better about themselves and don't need to get pregnant to feel that way (p.131).

Campus alcohol abuse: college kids drink primarily because they overestimate how much other kids drink, which gives them encouragement and permission to drink more themselves (p.168).

Juvenile delinquency: keep at-risk kids away from other at-risk kids (p.153).

Social and racial prejudice: treat all people as equals (p.199) and include minorities in photo shoots for company newsletters (p.233).

In sum, what is interesting in this book is not new, and re-labeling cognitive therapy as "story editing" does not in any sense make a unique or valuable contribution to the clinical psychology or self-help literature. The reviews and hype implying that this book is a valuable contribution toward achieving personal insight and growth are, in my opinion, misleading. Those looking for the latter might consider instead Martin Seligman's "Learned Optimism" or "Authentic Happiness", or Michigan State University's Gershen Kaufman's books on building self-esteem and 'personal power.' I am sure I will be unceremoniously castigated for disagreeing with academia but these are my views and I'm sticking with them!