Secret Life Of Secrets

THE SECRET LIFE OF SECRETS sheds light on that which we keep to ourselves. Popular psychology has thoroughly examined cognitive heuristics, biases, thinking fast and slow, framing and nudges. Yet, it had skipped over a key factor that complicates our daily lives: other people, and when we do and do not let them into our inner worlds.

Now, over a hundred studies from Michael Slepian's laboratory paint a new picture of what motivates our secrets, what people keep secret and why, the multiple ways in which secrets pervade our lives, and the avenues we can take to better live with them. More than a story of sneakiness or deceit, the story of secrecy is about the inner workings of the mind, our sense of self, human connection, and how to improve our wellbeing. We may not want our secrets to be known, but we do want our selves to be known. One of the core reasons that secrecy is difficult and burdensome is that it goes against our natural, human impulse to share our experiences with others.

Indeed, not all secrets remain secrets. We disclose, confide and confess. This book examines whom we choose to tell our secrets to, and the consequences of divulging. Whether or not they remain hidden, you will come away from this book with a better understanding of your secrets, how they affect you in ways that you might not be aware, and how to thrive while carrying them.