Annoying: The Science of What Bugs Us

Annoying: The Science of What Bugs Us

Annoying: The Science of What Bugs Us

Annoying: The Science of What Bugs Us

Hardcover(First Edition)

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Overview

Two crackerjack science journalists from NPR look at why some things (and some people!) drive us crazy

It happens everywhere-offices, schools, even your own backyard. Plus, seemingly anything can trigger it-cell phones, sirens, bad music, constant distractions, your boss, or even your spouse. We all know certain things get under our skin. Can science explain why? Palca and Lichtman take you on a scientific quest through psychology, evolutionary biology, anthropology, and other disciplines to uncover the truth about being annoyed. What is the recipe for annoyance? For starters, it should be temporary, unpleasant, and unpredictable, like a boring meeting or mosquito bites

  • Gives fascinating, surprising explanations for why people react the way they do to everything from chili peppers to fingernails on a blackboard
  • Explains why irrational behavior (like tearing your hair out in traffic) is connected to worthwhile behavior (like staying on task)
  • Includes tips for identifying your own irritating habits!

How often can you say you're happily reading a really Annoying book? The insights are fascinating, the exploration is fun, and the knowledge you gain, if you act like you know everything, can be really annoying.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780470638699
Publisher: Turner Publishing Company
Publication date: 04/01/2011
Edition description: First Edition
Pages: 272
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 8.60(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

About The Author

Joe Palca is a science correspondent for National Public Radio and the backup host for Talk of the Nation Science Friday.

Flora Lichtman is the multimedia editor for Science Friday.

Table of Contents

A Note from the Authors.

Introduction: Cell Phones.

1 A Noise Annoys.

2 A Case of Mistaken Intensity.

3 Fingernails on a Chalkboard.

4 Skunked.

5 Bugged by Bugs An Epic Bugging”

6 Who Moved Their Cheese?

7 The Terror of Perfect Pitch.

8 Dissonant.

9 Breaking the Rules.

10 He’s Just Not That Annoyed by You.

11 Better Late Than Never Doesn’t Apply Here.

12 When Your Mind Becomes a Foreign Country.

13 The Annoyed Brain.

14 False Alarms.

Conclusion.

Acknowledgments.

Notes.

Index.

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