Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes

The book Mastermind is an expression of a deep appreciation of the Sherlock Holmes stories, which were evidently read to the author as a young girl, and inspired her. Her psychological viewpoint on the main characters, Watson and Holmes, is interesting, and has motivated me to read the Arthur Conan Doyle tales of Sherlock Holmes. We can see Watson and Holmes, quite often, as we read Dr. Konnikova’s book, as personifications of different ways of reacting to events: A fast, efficient, possibly easily erroneous approach (the Watson approach), and a more disciplined, possibly quite inefficient, but thoughtful, sometimes counterintuitive approach (the Holmes approach). This is somewhat stereotypical, and also draws on fairly familiar psychological schemes, but, when mixed all together, and personalized in this way, it is actually quite interesting. By showing this as stereotypes, we see how to think like Watson (our more common mode of thinking) and how to think like Holmes (in a more thoughtful and mindful way). In addition, we see the interactions between Watson and Holmes, and that the success of Holmes often depends to some extent on first making some quick (Watson), incorrect assessments, so that one (the Mastermind) is thrown to focus on certain important observations. The idea that the Mastermind is, to a certain extent, a combination or amalgam, an interaction between Watson and Holmes, and not Holmes, himself, that prepares Holmes to deal with the subtle deceptions and deviousness of the criminal mind, is a powerful picture. However, if we see this person emerging, say, as the author of the tales (Arthur Conan Doyle), we must still bear in mind that even the Mastermind is only human, and a product of his or her times and points of view. This is emphasized in the last chapter of the book, where we see Arthur Conan Doyle’s judgment at fault in an amusing, but deceptive situation, which we look at with modern eyes, from a very different culture and a very different viewpoint. I recommend this book strongly as the Dr. Konnikova truly communicates her love for the Sherlock Holmes tales, and also illuminates the Mastermind for us.

I have been trying to improve myself using psychology books for quite some time. Almost invariably, every psychology book I read will give me part of the solution, but not all of it. They will focus on one portion of the brains function and ignore all the rest. Books like The Power of Habit, The Willpower Instinct, and Flow, try to teach the reader about the brain, but only from one viewpoint. Each book answers questions, but it's like seeing only part of a painting. You don't know enough to really understand. Mastermind combines the knowledge from psychological breakthroughs and the books mentioned above (aside from the Willpower Instinct, instead Daniel Pink's Drive is referenced) and distills it all into a readable and comprehensive overview of the brain. Where the other books fall short, this book excels. By referencing all of these books, it is capable of giving "the whole picture" of the brain. There is never a feeling of only seeing part of the picture, it covers EVERYTHING. But not only does the book cover all knowledge of the brain, but it explains it in relation to Western Society's favorite archetypal hero, Sherlock Holmes. Mastermind uses the Sherlock Holmes abilities as a medium to explain the psychology of self improvement, which makes for fantastic reading. In summary: the book covers all of modern knowledge about using the brain to it's utmost potential, and explains it using Sherlock Holmes as a medium. The book is fantastic. I will be reading it again and again for years to come.

*A full summary of this book is available here: An Executive Summary of Maria Konnikova's 'Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes' The main argument: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's character Sherlock Holmes is as popular today as when he was created back in the late 19th century. This comes as no surprise, of course, since there is just something about Holmes' peculiar qualities--his keen observation, clever imagination, and incisive reasoning capabilities--that is both awe-inspiring and inspirational. We admire Holmes for cutting through the errors of thought that are so common to us in our daily lives (and that are reflected in Holmes' sidekick, Watson). And yet we recognize that there is nothing in Holmes' thought that is entirely out of reach for us. Indeed, his qualities are not so much superhuman as human plus: human qualities taken to their extreme. Still, human qualities taken to their extreme are intimidating enough, and we may find ourselves doubting whether we could ever really think like Sherlock--even if we put our minds to it. But for cognitive psychologist Anna Konnikova, we should think again. Holmes' prowess, Konnikova argues, rests no so much in his mental powers as in his mental approach. Specifically, Holmes has succeeded in making his thought methodical and systematic--essentially bringing the scientific method and scientific thinking to his detective work. This is an approach to thinking which, Konnikova argues, we can all practice. More importantly, it is an approach to thinking that can extend well beyond sleuthing. Indeed, it is a general approach that can help us get at the truth in virtually any arena, as well as help us solve virtually any problem. It is simply a matter of bringing a little science to the art of thought--and it is this very thing that Konnikova aims to help us achieve in her new book 'Mastermind: How to Think like Sherlock Holmes'. Konnikova breaks down Holmes' method into 4 parts: 1. Background knowledge; 2. Observation; 3. Imagination; and 4. Deduction. To begin with, Holmes keeps an extensive and well-organized knowledge base to help him solve new cases. What's more, he is vigilant in ensuring that he is ever assimilating new and important information that could help him in the future. Second, Holmes uses careful, mindful, and unbiased observation to glean what is important about the various characters and circumstances of each case. Next, Holmes uses the evidence that he has gathered--in conjunction with his far-reaching (though disciplined) imagination--to formulate multiple scenarios that could explain the mystery. Finally, Holmes uses his acute powers of reasoning to cut away the scenarios that just don't hold up, until ultimately there is but one scenario left: the only one that is possible, however improbable. While this approach seems straightforward enough, it is easier said than done. Indeed, our minds can and often do go wrong at any one of the steps. Konnikova construes it like this: our minds have two distinct modes of thought. The first of these modes operates quickly and automatically. It is our default mode, in that it is the one that we rely on as a matter of course. While it may be quick and effortless, it is also very error-prone. Our second mode of thought is slower and more deliberate. It has the potential to be far more accurate than our default mode, but it takes effort, and this is effort that we often aren't willing to expend. Still, Konnikova contends that activating the second mode is worth the effort. What's more, the more we employ this mode of thought, the more habitual and the less effortful it becomes. (These modes of thought correspond to System 1, and System 2 in Daniel Kahneman's 'Thinking, Fast and Slow', though Konnikova refers to them here as our Watsonian and Holmesian systems). At each step of Holmes' method, Konnikova points out the errors of thought that our Watsonian system is wont to draw us into (as exemplified by a series of psychological experiments). In addition, she points out numerous tricks and pointers that can help us use our Holmesian system to best advantage in order to overcome these errors (exemplified by still other psychological experiments). In the end, it is really a matter of being ever mindful and careful in our thinking, and this is something that we could all certainly do more of. Readers of Kahneman's 'Thinking, Fast and Slow' will no doubt recognize many of the experiments talked about here. However, unlike in Kahneman's book, Konnikova makes much more of an effort to explain how we can overcome the errors of our Watsonian system (system 1). I found these efforts to be worthwhile for the most part (4 stars). Also, I found Konnikova's style easy enough to follow; however, I would not say that I was a huge fan of it: it comes across as patronizing at times, and she does engage in a fair bit of repetition. Still a good and worthwhile read. A full summary of the book is available here: An Executive Summary of Maria Konnikova's 'Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes'

Language was not well used but it's a fun read for an afternoon.

This was a very good read about observation and having a deductive mindset (Holmes) vs a reactive mindset (Watson). I was quite impressed with how the author laid out the distinction, focusing on the fictional character Sherlock Holmes and how that character's mindset is extremely analytical built from the constant practice and refinement of being observant. The author does a good job comparing Holmes' way of assessing situations compared to that of his partner Watson, who is more reactive and will quickly assess what he views at a scene, thinking instantly what the result must be and often overlooking essential items. The author also touches on the dangers of over-confidence in one's own abilities, often derived from a string of successes in correctly deducing conclusions. There is more in this book then the aforementioned. Overall, the author has done an excellent job breaking down how to think like Sherlock Holmes. In addition she has also listed some excellent follow-up reference materials I look forward to checking out. I categorize this book as a kind of self-help book and as such one can learn a lot from it with self-reflection. I know I have. 5 stars. I look forward to reading her other 2 works.

息子へのプレゼントで、本人に感想を聞いたところ、『期待通りの作品でした。 とても私は気に入っています。』とのことです。

Lots of information often hard to follow but worth the read I will read again to get a clearer picture

Really liked this book, explained everything in detail. Their is no need for any other book to understand sherlock's brain and mind. You need the patience to read it and understand it.