The Winner Effect
The Neuroscience of Success and Failure
A neuroscientist explains how winning changes the brain, making further wins more likely and power harder to handle wisely.
Ian H. Robertson, a professor of psychology at Trinity College Dublin, starts from an observation in animal studies: a creature that wins one fight becomes more likely to win the next. He follows that effect into people, showing how success raises testosterone and dopamine, sharpens focus and boosts confidence. He also shows the darker side, how power can distort judgement and empathy, and asks what helps people handle success without being changed by it.
As an Amazon Associate, bookstoread.org earns from qualifying purchases. Links to Amazon on this page may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Spotted an error on this page? Tell us and we will fix it.