The Popularity Illusion

"We have all imprinted emotionally on the vicissitudes of our teenage years. Mitch Prinstein, in this compelling, page-turner, tells us why and also how we can shed the skins of our adolescence. Even better he tells us how our children can achieve meaningful popularity. A science-based Dale Carnegie."

Martin E.P. Seligman, Ph.D. Zellerbach Family Professor of Psychology and the Director of the Positive Psychology Center, University of Pennsylvania

Fascinating, well-researched and accessible, The Popularity Illusion will make you rethink every social interaction you've had since high school, and help you to find greater success and happiness. Read this book, and you'll never think about popularity in the same way again.

Susan Cain, bestselling author of Quiet

It turns out that there's more to popularity than status. This book didn't just capture my attention; it also helped me to understand why I wasn't cool as a kid, why I'm still not today, and why I shouldn't care.

Adam Grant, author of Originals

Were you popular as a kid? You no doubt have an answer to that, but Mitch Prinstein wants you to have two: status is one thing, likeability quite another. The origins of both types of popularity are the topic of this singularly fascinating, extraordinarily well-written book. I read it cover to cover and learned as much about the science as I did myself.'

Angela Duckworth, author of Grit

A clever analysis of the human yearning for acceptance ... Prinstein unravels this complex area brilliantly. He cites eye-opening research that will have you nodding in agreement ... Very important in these networked times.

Evening Standard