The Psychology of Desire

"Desire can overpower us, making a mockery of our efforts to diet, to focus, to be faithful. And yet, it also can make us soar, inspiring invention, heroism, poetry. Hofmann and Nordgren have recruited the most respected authorities and have worked with them to create a brilliant, innovative book. If you’re interested in understanding the essence of human experience, this magnificent volume is for you. This book is ideal for scholars and students interested in goal pursuit, self-regulation, neuroscience, craving, dieting, aggression--the list goes on."--Eli J. Finkel, PhD, Department of Psychology and Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University

"This volume broadens our view of human behavior and motivation. As the chapters convincingly demonstrate, behavior not only is a function of its anticipated consequences, but also must be understood as being directed and propelled by immediate desires with deep evolutionary roots. The contributors are outstanding experts in both basic and applied areas of psychology."--Fritz Strack, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Würzburg, Germany

"An essential handbook for graduate students and researchers interested in the elusive construct of desire. As a desire researcher myself, I feel sure that this is a book I will keep within arm's reach, and refer to--and learn from--again and again. Combining theory and practical implications, the book touches on a variety of substantive domains, from eating behavior to luxury brand strategy. It provides a 360-degree view of the multifaceted nature of desire. I will list this book as a reference for my doctoral seminar in consumer behavior."--Vanessa Patrick, PhD, Bauer Professor of Marketing and Director of Doctoral Programs, C. T. Bauer College of Business, University of Houston

"Is the pursuit of desires (related to food, sex, money, drugs, aggression) inherently adaptive or maladaptive? The growing consensus in the field of psychological science is that the answer is somewhere in between--the adaptiveness of desires is highly dependent upon context. This volume presents a compelling and thought-provoking account of the latest research identifying how, when, and for whom the pursuit of desires can contribute to a healthy and meaningful life. It will inspire clinical scientists to conceptualize their patients’ struggles as stemming from difficulties managing desires in a context-dependent way."--Amelia Aldao, PhD, Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University

"An outstandingly good example of how integration across some traditional boundaries of biological, social, and cognitive psychology can be achieved. The chapters are written in a consistently clear and jargon-free way, such that students or researchers alike could read them with great benefit. A whole range of different desires are discussed. Development of desire and lack of desire in depression are very well represented. Not surprisingly, given the editors' research expertise, a recurrent theme of the book is the conflict between giving in to temptation and restraint in the interests of long-term gain. A rich supply of cross-referencing means that links between different chapters become readily apparent. The editors have accomplished a mammoth task in bringing this book together in such a cohesive fashion. I very strongly recommend it."--Frederick M. Toates, DPhil, DSc, Professor Emeritus of Biological Psychology, The Open University, United Kingdom -