Situations Matter

by Sam Sommers
Situations Matter cover
Good Books rating 4.23
Psychology and Human Behavior
Technical
  • ID: 3955
  • Added: 2025-10-20
  • Updated: 2025-10-20
  • ISBN: 9781594488184
  • Publisher: Riverhead Books (Hardcover)
  • Published: 2011-01-01
  • Reviews: 3

Situations Matter delves into the unconscious influences that govern our behaviors and choices, revealing how the environment and context can dramatically alter our actions and perceptions. By understanding these subtle forces, readers can gain insights into reshaping their worldview and making more informed decisions. This book offers practical recommendations for applying contextual insights to everyday life, empowering individuals to recognize and leverage the unnoticed power of their surroundings. It challenges conventional wisdom and provides a fresh perspective on human behavior and decision-making.

Reviews
Ryan Healy · Ryan Healy · 2025-10-20
enjoyable 4.50

The book exceeded expectations with its entertaining and insightful exploration of context. It offers valuable insights into the invisible forces influencing our lives.

Ryan Healy initially had low expectations for 'Situations Matter' but found it to be more enjoyable than anticipated. They appreciated the book's entertaining style and the valuable insights it provided into how context shapes our behavior. The exploration of invisible forces influencing our lives was particularly noteworthy, making the book both informative and engaging.

Quick quotes

    I enjoyed Situations Matter more than I thought I would

    An entertaining and engaging exploration of the invisible forces influencing your life

    understanding them can improve everything you do

Draining Thoughts · 2012-05-14
informative 4.20

The book is well-supported by references and includes experiments that engage the reader. It effectively illustrates how situations influence our actions.

This reviewer highlighted the book's thorough research and the inclusion of experiments that make the content more interactive. They found the book's exploration of how situations shape behavior to be compelling and well-illustrated. The use of references and experiments was particularly appreciated, as it added a layer of engagement and practicality to the theoretical discussions.

Quick quotes

    Sommers supports his ideas with a long list of references

    and also gives examples of studies and will even run some experiments on the reader

    the book effectively illustrates how situations influence our actions

Mind Your Decisions · 2011-10-05
engaging 4.00

The book is a fun and light read that blends humor with psychological experiments. It offers an engaging exploration of how context shapes behavior.

This reviewer found 'Situations Matter' to be an enjoyable and accessible read. They appreciated the author's ability to weave humor into discussions of psychological experiments, making complex ideas digestible. The book's exploration of how context influences behavior was particularly engaging, offering insights that are both thought-provoking and practical. They liked how the author made the subject matter entertaining without sacrificing depth.

Quick quotes

    As a whole, Situations Matter was a fun and light read

    with a discussion of many famous and interesting psychological experiments mixed in with

    the author does a great job of making complex ideas accessible

Appears in Lists