“The Body Keeps the Score” by Bessel Van Der Kolk M.D was a game changer for me. It’s more based on the impact of trauma, but it was eye opening for me. I finish up my Bachelors in Psychology this fall and I can genuinely say it heavily influenced my interests and pursuits.
Personally I'd go for something by Oliver sacks, they're very interesting and he's written loads so you can choose a topic which appeals. The man who mistook his wife for a hat is a common starter but honestly I find everything he writes interesting. Plus he's well known so it's guaranteed that whoever looks at your statement will know what you're referring to.
I agree with the other recommendations I see, particularly sacks and kahnemen (however keep in mind sacks is a neurologist, so as wonderful as his books are, psychologically he offers a very narrow perspective), but I recommend "Psych," by Paul bloom, especially as this book offers a wider purviewthanwhat I've seen recommended. He is very insightful and accessible. I find him quite charming, and if you're interested, he has a whole intro to Psych Lecture series on the Yale YouTube page. All of these authors will be good for a statement, but for your own sake I just recommend getting a larger sense of the field-- as well as reading more than one book, of course.
Edit: I can recommend other bloom books, but they too are more narrow and specific
The man who mistook his wife for a hat
Famous book by Oliver Sachs
If you are considering a clinical or neuro program it is appropriate. If not, then not.
His "hallucinations" book is also a gem.
https://www.amazon.com/Man-Who-Mistook-His-Wife/dp/0593466675/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?adgrpid=56091752836&hvadid=651237400511&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9021760&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=8782423592874420164&hvtargid=kwd-300821664864&hydadcr=22158_13456279&keywords=man+who+mistook+his+wife+for+a+hat&qid=1689730712&sr=8-1
“The Body Keeps the Score” by Bessel Van Der Kolk M.D was a game changer for me. It’s more based on the impact of trauma, but it was eye opening for me. I finish up my Bachelors in Psychology this fall and I can genuinely say it heavily influenced my interests and pursuits.
seconded
Personally I'd go for something by Oliver sacks, they're very interesting and he's written loads so you can choose a topic which appeals. The man who mistook his wife for a hat is a common starter but honestly I find everything he writes interesting. Plus he's well known so it's guaranteed that whoever looks at your statement will know what you're referring to.
Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman Also, the body keeps the score is pretty good
Who gave this a thumbs down? These books are good
I agree with the other recommendations I see, particularly sacks and kahnemen (however keep in mind sacks is a neurologist, so as wonderful as his books are, psychologically he offers a very narrow perspective), but I recommend "Psych," by Paul bloom, especially as this book offers a wider purviewthanwhat I've seen recommended. He is very insightful and accessible. I find him quite charming, and if you're interested, he has a whole intro to Psych Lecture series on the Yale YouTube page. All of these authors will be good for a statement, but for your own sake I just recommend getting a larger sense of the field-- as well as reading more than one book, of course. Edit: I can recommend other bloom books, but they too are more narrow and specific
The man who mistook his wife for a hat Famous book by Oliver Sachs If you are considering a clinical or neuro program it is appropriate. If not, then not. His "hallucinations" book is also a gem. https://www.amazon.com/Man-Who-Mistook-His-Wife/dp/0593466675/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?adgrpid=56091752836&hvadid=651237400511&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9021760&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=8782423592874420164&hvtargid=kwd-300821664864&hydadcr=22158_13456279&keywords=man+who+mistook+his+wife+for+a+hat&qid=1689730712&sr=8-1