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How Pleasure Works: The New Science of Why We Like What We Like Hardcover – Illustrated, June 14, 2010

by Paul Bloom (Author)
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 127 ratings
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Yale psychologist Paul Bloom presents a striking and thought-provoking new understanding of pleasure, desire, and value.

The thought of sex with a virgin is intensely arousing for many men. The average American spends more than four hours a day watching television. Abstract art can sell for millions of dollars. People slow their cars to look at gory accidents, and go to movies that make them cry.

Pleasure is anything but straightforward. Our desires, attractions, and tastes take us beyond the symmetry of a beautiful face, the sugar and fat in food, or the prettiness of a painting. In How Pleasure Works, Yale University psychologist Paul Bloom draws on groundbreaking research to unveil the deeper workings of why we desire what we desire. Refuting the longstanding explanation of pleasure as a simple sensory response, Bloom shows us that pleasure is grounded in our beliefs about the deeper nature or essence of a given thing. This is why we want the real Rolex and not the knockoff, the real Picasso and not the fake, the twin we have fallen in love with and not her identical sister.

In this fascinating and witty account, Bloom draws on child development, philosophy, neuroscience, and behavioral economics in order to address pleasures noble and seamy, highbrow and lowbrow. Along the way, he gives us unprecedented insights into a realm of human psychology that until now has only been partially understood. 3 illustrations
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  1. Print length
    304 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    W. W. Norton & Company
  4. Publication date
    June 14, 2010
  5. Dimensions
    6.5 x 1 x 9.6 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0393066320
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0393066326
  8. See all details
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Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
127 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and interesting. They describe it as a well-written, clear read with interesting insights. Readers appreciate the well-presented and thought-out perspectives. However, opinions differ on the depth of the content, with some finding it insightful and fascinating, while others feel it lacks clarity and nuance.

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ReadabilityInsightReadablePacingDepth
19 customers mention "Readability"16 positive3 negative

Customers find the book engaging and worth reading. They appreciate the insightful and well-constructed ideas.

"...Or not? Well, ask like that and this is worth your time to read. Or if you just love science and a good time. Or just love asking why?..." Read more

"...Despite the cheapy feel of the book in your hand, the content is well worth considering...it may make you think twice before you spurge on that..." Read more

"A fairly good book exploring, in a mostly critical and adaptionist view, why we find pleasure in the things we do...." Read more

"...from other thought leaders, Bloom presents a highly engaging and satisfying read mainly about pleasure but also touches on other areas...." Read more

15 customers mention "Insight"15 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and interesting. They appreciate its insights into human desires and emotions. The book covers many aspects of pleasure, starting from basic facts. It provides great psychological insight into human desires and emotions, and gets readers up reading about science.

"...Or if you just love science and a good time. Or just love asking why? You will love this book." Read more

"...Despite the individual studies being quite interesting, the conclusions drawn from the book are very obvious...." Read more

"...Overall it's a good book. It introduced some new ideas about human psychology and evolution to me, and brought up some interesting points about..." Read more

"...The author covers evolutionary influences, interesting behavioral studies and examines theories of how the human mind and biology determines..." Read more

9 customers mention "Readable"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and interesting. They say it's well-written from a philosophical perspective, clear, and presented in a way that makes it a must-read for adults.

"...This book is written to be readable probably much as this college professor teaches the subject to his college students who have notoriously short..." Read more

"...It is well written, informative, and even humorous on occasion...." Read more

"...However, the book is easy-reading, with enough information, though some repeated from other recently published books." Read more

"Interesting concepts and well written. I appreciate that you can read the chapters that interest you without missing out too much overall...." Read more

5 customers mention "Pacing"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's pacing. They find the perspectives and ideas well-presented. However, some feel the cover artwork is okay but the paper stock of the cover and interior of the book are subpar.

"...The cover artwork is okay but the paper stock of the cover and interior of the book are decidedly cheap which I think makes you take the content..." Read more

"Original perspectives and well thought out perspectives on the dynamics of what humans find pleasurable...." Read more

"very interesting, great insights, well constructed ideas and a fun way to really dive deep into the subjects at hand... Loved it!" Read more

"very clear and well presented. a must read for every adult human!" Read more

17 customers mention "Depth"10 positive7 negative

Customers have different views on the book's depth. Some find it insightful and engaging, with enough information covering many aspects of pleasure. Others feel it lacks a clear concept and lacks detail, nuance, or rigor.

"In this book, the author presents numerous intriguing studies on the subject of what we love, what we like, and what disgusts us...." Read more

"...This book is condescending and lacking any detail, nuance or rigor...." Read more

"This is a really interesting book packed with rich content well documented with 24 pages of references...." Read more

"...such as food and sex, tended to be the most grounded with the most research backing...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Danny Edwin Nicholas
    5.0 out of 5 stars I know what I like; but why? Loved this book.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    How Pleasure Works, by Paul Bloom, reviewed by Dan Nicholas Dec. 11, 2013

    I like dangerous books that make you think. Paul Bloom from Yale in his How Pleasure Works has written a such a book. It's a frightful thought to pause, as he suggests, and take in just why one likes what one likes; loves what one loves.

    I was intrigued to track here the science of why I am passionate about certain topics or people or ideas and bored with others. Yes, it was fun pondering here why it is that certain thoughts and acts stir me; and why and when the reverse emotions are stirred in me, to; such as disgust or fear or dread. I enjoyed his questions on why it is we love or hate the idea of God. And just what is this thing we call awe?

    It's three in the morning and this professor has got me up reading about science. Takes a good writer and strong storyteller to involve the reader like this. His work reads like you're taking in a novel when what you are really doing is reading about basic science on the mind and the human condition of how we think and feel and why.

    The good developmental psychologist Dr. Bloom might be an ivory tower professor in some eyes; but for me in this work he was more an observant student of two year olds. I liked how he seemed unashamed as an academic to be listed as one more philosopher awed by mystery in the universe. I liked this book. A science page turner is rare; maybe he's giving Mary Roach a run for her spot as top science writer?

    The hedonist in me also loved his focus on pleasure. And I loved how my bone doctor specialist last week paused when I went to see him about my ailing elbow and I watched him grab this paperback from my lap for a quick jacket read--How Pleasure Works--before dealing with my pains.

    No shock we are pretty much all pleasure hounds. But perhaps only the brave or geekish might be pulled out from the crowd as those likely to take the time and look under the hood at just why we like what we like. And yet I found his mind fascinating as he worked us though questions like the odd connection with pleasure and pain. Why one guy visits and pays $300 hour in Seattle for a Dominatrix for a simple ass whipping and another man pays $3M for Mark McGuire's 7th home run ball. The success of this title shows a lot of us out here want to muse some over all the chicken and egg questions about how and why pleasure moves us.

    I loved his observations on what he calls "essentialism"; how we all seem to gravitate to the Real Deal as opposed to the fake; be it in matters of love or art or sex or theology or anything that revs us up rather than leaves us cold.

    Ever been in love and wondered why it was the glance of the brunette and not the blond that yanked you from the sidelines at the party? This book's for you. It got me thinking why I was disturbed once to find that the woman I was falling for had undergone a face lift the year before and even copped to photo shopping the face lift pic before hooking me on Match.com. Which face was real? Which women? Did it matter now that I was hooked? Yes, why do these things matter at all. Or not? Well, ask like that and this is worth your time to read. Or if you just love science and a good time. Or just love asking why? You will love this book.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • Maria
    4.0 out of 5 stars various studies on the subject of pleasure, all gathered in one place
    Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    In this book, the author presents numerous intriguing studies on the subject of what we love, what we like, and what disgusts us. Despite the individual studies being quite interesting, the conclusions drawn from the book are very obvious. What we like tends to depend more on the context of our own beliefs than on the objects themselves at times. I probably wouldn’t recommend this book to those seeking some theoretical basis. It is more of a collection of various studies on the subject of pleasure, all gathered in one place.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • CMACA
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating content that makes you look at your own "pleasures"
    Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This is a really interesting book packed with rich content well documented with 24 pages of references. There are very few pages that do not reference one or more other researches. So the critiques that say there is no science here puzzle me. Perhaps the problem is that the research is from the "soft" sciences: sociology, and psychology. If a reader thinks real science can only be physics, chemistry and biology, then they would not recognize this research. However, I am familiar with much of this research and it is solid.

    This book is written to be readable probably much as this college professor teaches the subject to his college students who have notoriously short attention spans. Every teacher knows these days you have to be half scholar and half entertainer if you are to get your students to tune in to you instead of their smart phones.

    I think Bloom does an excellent job of covering a wide spectrum of where we find our pleasures and showing you why. As an author myself I can see that one distraction from the content is the actual book design which includes the font, margins, spacing, chapter headings, paper and cover stock and the cover design. The cover artwork is okay but the paper stock of the cover and interior of the book are decidedly cheap which I think makes you take the content less seriously. Every woman knows "packaging counts" and it is true in book design as well. Even when a big publisher like W.W. Norton agree to publish your work, an author should fight for at least input on the book design.

    Despite the cheapy feel of the book in your hand, the content is well worth considering...it may make you think twice before you spurge on that special something you really cannot afford.
    7 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on June 18, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Great book for anyone interested in behavioural psychology.
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  • acheteur
    1.0 out of 5 stars TRES DECEVANT
    Reviewed in France on February 26, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Un titre colossal, un livre plus que maigrelet. Ce serait une vidéo, on parlerait de clickbait
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  • Glenn Chapman
    5.0 out of 5 stars Bloom in Bloom!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 31, 2010
    Verified Purchase
    Having listened insatiably to Paul Bloom in his captivating Yale course to Introductory Psychology (available free on iTunes and YouTube), when I tracked down his literature on Amazon, I had to buy this book. I do not regret the purchase whatsoever. The man writes with incredible lucidity and wit, and he conveys his points effectively until the end. 'How Pleasure Works' really made me think twice about why I get so much pleasure from certain activities, and, more importantly, why others get pleasure from things that I might personally judge as unappealing.

    This book was full of insight, which is appropriate since it is psychology, and I can recommend to anybody who has the merest interest in understanding human-nature better. I am just about to begin Bloom's 'Descartes' Baby' about childhood development and its implications on adulthood, and I cannot describe my excitement at the prospect! Bloom really is the most accessible popular science writer of his generation.

    'How Pleasure Works' was impossible to put down. It reads as grippingly as good fiction, but better since I felt on every page I was learning something new; having my mind further and further prized open by his incredible insights. Bloom's writing style is deliciously smooth and accessible, making this book suitable for those who would usually shy away from science literature. The humour present in this book definitely allows it to transcend any stereotypes that science is for bores. Arguably, if more science writers delivered their arguments in the humour-laced packages that Bloom does, the modern world would be brighter, more enlightened, and more tolerant.

    In short, Bloom is an utter joy to read and to listen to: may he too provide you with the joy and enlightenment he has endowed upon me.
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  • Shove Coupler
    3.0 out of 5 stars Very readable, not quite what I expected
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 10, 2010
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed reading this book, despite the rather tabloid-newspaper title. I first heard about it in connection with appreciation of modern art, and I had hoped it would go into much more detail about this, but it's very much about how we ascribe value to things we like, not about art or culture as such. It deals with pleasure in all its forms - food, sex, aesthetics, etc.

    There are some interesting thought experiments (along the lines of why is a mass-produced object which once belonged to someone famous more valuable than an identical object which didn't)

    The author does tend to reel off lists of research which has supported this-or-that hypothesis but without much background detail, so you're kind of taking it all on trust. I don't disagree with his conclusions, but wonder whether they couldn't have been drawn just as well in an article in New Scientist for example.
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  • Chico Vaillancourt
    2.0 out of 5 stars How to Clean Dried Blood on filthy Book Cover - WORK!
    Reviewed in Canada on October 4, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I haven't started reading it yet, I am disgusted. This review is not about the work, it's about how the book arrived with the cover filthy, with a dried substance that looked like blood! Can you imagine opening up the envelope and seeing dried blood and filth on a book cover! Instead of making a fuss, I cleaned the cover, the paper towel was brown when I was done! Gross. Honestly I don't even want to touch the book to read it. No consideration, no understanding on how to do business.
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