Must-Have: The Hidden Instincts Behind Everything We Buy

(Paperback)

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Description

Acclaimed psychologist Geoffrey Miller uses evolutionary psychology to reveal how the dizzying, brand-saturated world of modern consumerism really works. Why do we buy What is it that governs our choice of car How does advertising really work And what can the story of Aladdin teach us about today's world In this brilliantly original, provocative and witty book, Geoffrey Miller - acclaimed author of The Mating Mind - takes us on a journey through the surreal wonderlands of marketing, advertising, and media to explore the hidden instincts behind our choices. Combining this with the latest developments in evolutionary psychology, genetics and consumer research, he explains why we buy what we buy and how we can escape the excesses of twenty-first century consumerism.

Reviews

Frankly gripping * The Times *
Ingenious, and brilliantly argued * Literary Review *
One of the punchiest evolutionary psychologists now publishing ... a major work of subversion ... it couldn't be more timely * Evening Standard *
Intelligent, engaging, exasperating and funny * New Scientist *
Superb... Stimulating and full of wit * Prospect *

Author Bio

Geoffrey Miller studied at Columbia, Stanford, Sussex and Munich Universities and until recently was at University College, London. He now teaches at the University of New Mexico.