About the Book
A revolution has been quietly taking place in academic psychology, economics, neuroscience, marketing, and business. In study after study, emotional forces massively outweigh human rationality in determining our actual choices and actions. This insight has reshaped both science and industry as its power is harnessed for commercial ends. Those of us who are engaged in the nexus of neuroscience, psychology, and human potential have an obligation to raise awareness of these discoveries, and, more importantly, to use them to actually improve people’s lives.
AgileBrain is based on decades of psychological research conducted by the author, and others, published in peer-reviewed academic journals. It begins with the discovery of the first principles of all human motivation. Motivation is fundamentally about change. These principles can be phrased as two questions:
“Where in your life do you wish to make a change?”
To answer this question, we can choose from four life domains: the Self, the Social, the Material, and the Spiritual. Note that these represent pairs of opposites: Self vs. Social, Material vs. Spiritual.
“What kind of change do you wish to make?”
To answer this question, we can choose from Aristotle’s three levels of existence: foundational (being), experiential (doing), and aspirational (having).
The answers to these two questions form a “Periodic Table of the Elements” for human motivations in the form of a three-by-four matrix. Because there are no other possible life domains or levels of aspiration, the reader can have confidence that every possible human motivation is accounted for.
A key takeaway is that all twelve emotional needs are operating and directing us all the time, and that a key to a happy, actualized life is to pursue fulfillment of needs in a balanced way, which avoids serious problems associated with unbalanced need fulfillment. A recurring theme in The Emotionally Agile Brain is the value of distinguishing between authentic need fulfillment and the superficial, inauthentic substitutes offered by our consumer culture.
After analyzing motivational data from hundreds of thousands of individuals (and consulting to scores of Fortune 500 clients), author J. D. Pincus explains it this way: “Everyone has a unique ‘fingerprint’ of emotional needs at any given moment in time. Becoming aware of that motivational state is a profound revelation for most people. It cuts right through the noise and distractions of life, and frees them to pursue what they really want.”
About the Author :
J. D. Pincus, PhD, is a psychologist and researcher specializing in human motivation, emotional needs, and personal development. He developed the unified pyramid model of human motivation and the AgileBrain measurement technique. He published his model in Integrative Psychological and Behavioral Science, and has gone on to apply the pyramid model to the problems of Human Values, Employee Engagement, Subjective Well-Being, Organizational Culture, Leadership Effectiveness, Team Effectiveness, and Human Goals. His seminal article on the concept of motivation in applied psychology, published in the Journal of Consumer Behaviour, has been cited in 222 subsequent papers. He lives in Massachusetts, with his wife, a Maltipoo puppy named Bean, and a black cat named Salem.
Review :
In The Emotionally Agile Brain Dr. Pincus presents a thoughtful, comprehensive, and well-researched exploration of our emotional landscape and how it impacts motivation. For those interested in understanding human behavior, this is a must read.
This book fulfills the potential of becoming one of the most thorough presentations of the theoretical systems of motivation that is currently available in the academic literature. Written in delightful style in language easy to follow, it provides a new synthesis for the field of motivation research.
Dr. Pincus provides an insightful, deeply researched exploration of emotional dynamics and their critical influence on motivation. This book is an essential resource for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of how emotions drive behavior, especially in leadership and organizational settings.
The Emotionally Agile Brain is a groundbreaking work that transcends traditional boundaries of emotional motivation, offering a universally applicable framework with profound implications across multiple fields. Pincus's model provides a meta-theory that integrates and clarifies areas long struggling to articulate coherent foundations—from organizational culture and leadership to team effectiveness, values, goals, and the wellbeing and engagement of both employees and students. This book truly marks a watershed moment in our understanding of human dynamics, providing not only deep insights into emotional needs but also actionable strategies for leaders, educators, and anyone committed to improving human engagement and fulfillment. A must-read for those seeking to grasp the interconnectedness of motivation and its impact on various domains of human experience.
The Emotionally Agile Brain by J.D. Pincus is a groundbreaking exploration into the depths of human motivation. Pincus masterfully dissects the 12 elements that drive us, presenting a unique model that spans the domains of Self, Material, Social, and Spiritual. This book is not just a theoretical treatise; it offers practical insights and tools for achieving emotional well-being and personal growth. Whether you’re a professional, a psychologist, a business leader, or someone seeking to understand your own motivations, The Emotionally Agile Brain provides a comprehensive and enlightening guide to mastering the emotional forces that shape our lives. Highly recommended for anyone committed to personal development and emotional intelligence.
The Emotionally Agile Brain offers a compelling, research-backed approach to emotional assessment, revealing the transformative impact of applying the unified model of human motivation. This book provides an accessible and empirically-validated method for college students to enhance their emotional vocabulary and understanding, empowering them to navigate mental well-being with confidence and clarity.
How many times have you asked yourself “Why did I do that?" How often have you ask yourself why others do things you don’t understand? You are likely to find the answer to both of those questions in this unique book. Dr. Pincus does an amazing job of disentangling what motivates us from among the enormous number of factors that make us who we are. Deeply researched and written with alacrity, I recommend The Emotionally Agile Brain as a significant resource for anyone wanting to understand what motivates themselves and others better. It will help you understand others more deeply and, most importantly, be a better you.
We've seen the power of the Agile Brain system up close. The framework articulated in the book and enabled in the technology is remarkable in its ability to engage students and support counselors in meaningful conversation about emotions. It is truly game-changing stuff.
