How Minds Change

The Surprising Science of Belief, Opinion, and Persuasion

De: David McRaney

Narrado por: David McRaney

A powerful, compassionate investigation of why it’s so hard to change your mind—and the transformative effects that follow when you do—by the internationally bestselling author of You Are Not So Smart

"A riveting read on the art and science of persuasion . . . In a time when too many minds seem closed, this is a masterful analysis of what it takes to open them." —Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Think Again and host of the podcast WorkLife

PORCHLIGHT BOOK AWARD WINNER

What made a prominent conspiracy-theorist YouTuber finally see that 9/11 was not a hoax? Can you finally have a productive conversation about politics with your uncle at the next family gathering? How does an ordinary person find the courage to leave a cult? Can widespread social change only take place when a generation dies out?

Inspired by curiosity and underpinned by diligent research, How Minds Change is an expansive, big-hearted journalistic narrative for our divided times, told with David McRaney’s trademark humor, compassion, and scientific inquiry. In engaging chapters built around eye-opening interviews and anecdotes—featuring psychologists and neuroscientists, and also former cult members, conspiracy theorists, and political activists—McRaney shows why illusions like The Dress captivate (and break) the internet; how conversational techniques can crack hardened attitudes; and what miracles are possible when we show up with open minds and a better understanding of how the human brain works.

Reaching surprising and thought-provoking conclusions, How Minds Change demonstrates that the ability to uncover our own motives and beliefs—and understand those of others—may be the greatest persuasive tool of all.

©2022 David McRaney (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

"A combination of compelling overview and practical strategy . . . Convincing advice regarding a timely issue.”—Kirkus Reviews

“McRaney makes a convincing case . . . and backs it up with what science has to say about ‘replac[ing] old ignorance with new wisdom.’ The result is an eye-opening survey filled with heart.”—Publishers Weekly

“How Minds Change explores why some world views seem so stubbornly immune to reason . . . Hence McRaney’s ‘softly softly’ approach, inspired by conversational techniques such as ‘street epistemology’ and ‘deep canvassing,’ which sometimes trigger remarkable conversations . . . a world champion debater cannot change your mind; only you can do that.”—Financial Times

Worth a second listen

Being new to his podcast I wasn’t sure of the book but absolutely loved it, now one of my favorite books on persuasion,

Excellent

Narrator was great, informative and easy to follow didn’t want to stop learning, got me through many work days

Minds Change

Wonderful explanation of why minds have evolved, throughout history, to change. Shows how easily the human mind believes a seemingly infinite number of things that have no basis in reality.

Vital subject, 1 of the best science communicators

McRaney is a great science journalist and educator.
His podcast is easily in my top 3, and I listen to a lot of podcasts! So glad he read his own book!
The subject, how minds change - including and especially our own - is among the most important topics of our time. Vital as it is to our personal well-being, our relationships and the health of our democracy!
He begins, appropriately, by discussing how our minds are made up in the first place. The journey from there is humbling, fascinating, and enlightening.

Even better than anticipated!

As a long-time listener to McRaney's podcast, You Are Not So Smart, I knew McRaney would be clear, careful, and interesting in his presentation of the science. He is among the absolute best science journalists around. This book did not disappoint. He also has such a wonderful speaking voice and compelling delivery.

Excellent book.

Absolutely exceptional Only once in a blue moon does such a book become available.. Bravo

Extremely Enlightening

This book certainly helps explain several things including how tribalism works, how to recognize it, and avoid it.

Outstanding information and well presented

The author shows incredible insight on the way humans think and act as social creatures. Don’t think of this as a way to make others think like you, but as a study as to how we think, respond and feel the way we do and how our emotions, attitudes and in particular our social direct our opinions.

I am certainly not in the mood to change someone else’s mind, but by reading this, it makes me realize how I likely come to the conclusions I do. Shedding light on this gives me the greater potential for wisdom.

get You are Not so Smart instead

Big fan of David but this book left me feeling a little creeped out. The methods he describes sound great and no doubt can aid in real communication. After finishing and pondering it I realized that I don't live my life trying to change others 'wrongthink'. We humans are constantly manipulated and when we're doing it we call it persuasion. If it is as effective as suggested, it could be a very good thing but I just couldn't shake the thought of an army of empathic activists with the warmth and kindness of a Morman working me for conformity on 'the current thing'. I felt a heightened resistance to people with clipboards building rapport. probably just me...

A must read

I have listened to Dave on his podcast early on, and read all his books, and many of his guests books.
This book is by far the best and most enlightening as of yet! It is well worth listening to and reading again and again.