Description

A WATERSTONES BEST POPULAR SCIENCE BOOK OF 2024

In the early 1960s scientists at the University of California, Berkeley set out to establish the key factors affecting health and longevity. Their results, known as the ‘Alameda 7’, you already know: don’t smoke, drink in moderation, sleep seven to eight hours a night, exercise, eat regular meals, maintain a moderate weight, eat breakfast. Years later, however, the same team discovered an eighth factor, one that proved more important than all the others: social connection.

When we form meaningful bonds with others, our wounds heal faster, we shake off infections more quickly and our blood pressure drops. We are less likely to have Alzheimer’s, heart attacks or strokes. When people feel that they have strong social support, they perform better on tests of mental focus, memory and problem solving. Greater connection can fuel creativity, increase our financial stability and enhance our work productivity. But making friends can also be daunting.

In The Laws of Connection, David Robson does two important things: he takes us through the fascinating science behind the effects of social connection and he unpacks the research that shows that we are all better at being social than we might think. We meet ideas such as ‘the liking gap’ and ‘the gratitude gap’, learn to recognise ‘frenemies’ and discover a powerful conversational strategy known as the ‘fast-friends procedure’ that promotes instant rapport. Being social doesn’t have to mean having dozens of friends, it can also mean having one true, deep connection with another person. As Robson shows, we can all benefit from the laws of connection.

Publisher Review

This fascinating book will genuinely make you a better friend and colleague – and could even improve your social life. David Robson seamlessly weaves in interesting anecdotes and powerful take homes, which will help the loudest extrovert or quietest introvert build a better social world. A vital read for anyone who wants to get along with others in an ever-polarised world — MELISSA HOGENBOOM A masterful distillation of the latest research into the benefits of sociality. Robson unveils a series of practical, science-backed tips for forming and maintaining healthy relationships of all kinds; tips that will not just extend but possibly even save your life. It’s a roadmap to overcoming social timidity and a science-based cure for misanthropy — JUSTIN GREGG David Robson is one of my favorite science writers. He strikes the perfect balance between scientific accuracy, engaging storytelling and practical relevance. Whether you want to get better at small talk or at staying close to the important people in your life, this book provides tangible, scientifically vetted solutions — VANESSA BOHNS Robson has distilled a vast amount of high-quality research into an engaging manual on what makes or breaks meaningful social connections. I was astonished at how many long-held assumptions we hold that are just plain wrong. In an era of increasing social isolation, The Laws of Connection is a necessary and timely book — LAUREN AGUIRRE The Laws of Connection is the perfect antidote to modern-day isolation. With his trademark brilliance and nuance, David Robson offers a hopeful and entertaining take on why so many of us feel like islands in a sea of people and provides practical, evidenced-backed strategies for creating bridges, connecting to others, and living more socially fulfilled lives — HAL HERSHFIELD Praise for The Expectation Effect: ‘This book is entertaining, eye-opening, extremely useful and best of all, evidence-based — CLAUDIA HAMMOND Mind-changing science . . . One of Robson’s many strengths is to take what might seem familiar and show just how much deeper the rabbit hole goes — OLIVER BURKEMAN Based in science and packed with smart advice — DANIEL H. PINK This is an utterly riveting and transformative book. You can’t afford not to read it! — NIGELLA LAWSON Visionary, original and exciting — WILL STORR