The Science of Sin: The Psychology of the Seven Deadlies (and Why They Are So Good For You)
You know what they are—lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, anger, envy, and pride, the seven deadly sins. Only, you see, they’re not as deadly as you think. In fact, they can be good for you. For example, lust—more specifically, arousal—heightens one’s sense of urgency about the present moment, not the undefined future. Also, sex in advertising really doesn’t sell; it actually lowers recall of the products being advertised. But arousal stimulates what Laham calls “prosocial,” Good Samaritan–like behavior because, when aroused, one is more apt to want to impress and appear to be an attractive person. Writing in a light, almost breezy manner, social psychologist Laham tries to stay far away from jargon and mumbo-jumbo. Consequently, his book will certainly open readers’ eyes to the unexpected and sometimes very surprising ways in which the seven “deadly” sins can actually enrich their lives and improve their minds. Lots to think about here. --David Pitt