How Ideas Spread

By: Jonah Berger, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Jonah Berger

Length: 5 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's Summary

What makes one novel a bestseller, while a similar work languishes unnoticed? Why are the same few baby names suddenly everywhere? Why is everyone talking about that viral video?

Welcome to the science of social epidemics: the cutting-edge study of why some ideas, products, and concepts spread wildly, while others quickly flame out.

Anyone who has something to sell, a cause to promote, or a message to spread knows that there are obstacles in creating a message that resonates, spreads, and sticks to make their product or idea the word on the street.

Enormous sums of time and money have been spent trying to answer the question of why some ideas catch on. And not only is it an ever-present challenge for businesses, governments, and organizations, but it has long been a source of inquiry for psychologists, economists, and sociologists as well.

Now, in How Ideas Spread, discover what researchers studying the science of social transmission have learned. Taught by Jonah Berger - a best-selling author, expert in social dynamics, and faculty member at the Wharton School - this enlightening course draws on lessons from business, social psychology, economics, and popular culture to give you the cross-disciplinary tools necessary to identify and promote contagious ideas that last.

Across 12 half-hour lectures filled with absorbing stories and intriguing information, you'll learn the psychological and sociological mechanisms that lead products, ideas, and behaviors to catch on, plus specific techniques that can be applied in your personal and professional life, whatever your field or interest. Listen to one powerful case study after another to find out how to leverage three main concepts—individual psychology, social influence, and social networks—to design infectious messages. Whether you're a professional seeking guidance on crafting products and messages that grab hold, or you just want insights into how viral trends work, this course will open your eyes to the power of contagious ideas.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2014 The Great Courses (P)2014 The Teaching Company, LLC

Great informative content at the cost of a few ads

Berger delivers great readily actionable knowledge based on social psychology and other studies and the only problem with the exposition is that some examples are obviously sponsored (JetBlue I am looking at you), although the concepts expressed are still valid.

One of the most memorable moments of How Ideas Spread was when it explained how flashy logos on apparel and accessories define you as a lesser person in the eyes of those who are really into fashion and how this is part of a cyclical behavior in the fashion market.

There are many things to learn from How Ideas Spread that I would use in my daily life, actually almost all of it, but first of all not to spend any effort and even less money, looking for the attention of an influencer.

Basically a live rendition of Contagious

I was hoping for some more content in addition to Contagious. However, I really enjoyed the author's narration.
If you haven't read/listened to Jonah's other book, this lecture series will be fascinating.
I'm glad I listened to this and would like to read more of Dr. Berger'a work.

Good but not very original

Ideas already familiar from other books on the subject and related subjects, relatively shallow overview with little actionable takeaways. Recommend only if have no knowledge of the subject at all.

Food for thought

A Great Course should be food for thought or enlightenment. This delivered. The author and narrator are great at conveying the themes and I learned things and have a different perspective. But I wanted more new ideas too.

Really good information

This book is actually better than I anticipated. Excellent research. I would highly recommend this to any marketing person. Thanks

Totally enjoyed

How or why I would ever crave to listen to lectures again, I don't know. But, I really do like the class like structure of many of the Great Courses. It's like reliving a favorite college class without having to stress about mid terms, finals, etc. You can just listen, contemplate, enjoy, and move on. If only college were this stress free.

Clear, well-structured, compelling

The presentation if this course was clear. The ideas were well-structured, the explanation practical and practically demonstrated through life stories and examples...

Compelling!

Narrator was soooo repetittive!

I thought I would really like this book, but the narrator was annoying and spoke in a sing-songy manner. Very elementary in concept and delivery.

Too shallow for my needs

Very few insights I had not heard before. Sort of Marketing 101. If you are new to marketing and influencing target groups, this might however be a useful book.

Very clear and engaging

I loved this lecture series. It was much shorter than other lecture series I have listened to (only 5 hours). Berger was extremely clear and used excellent data from interesting studies. This was some of the best stuff I remember from my undergraduate days studying cognitive neuroscience. Why ideas spread definitely fits into the notion of "sexy science."

No prerequisite needed. Berger makes it simple yet thorough.

Very interesting and useful

I thoroughly enjoyed this. I listened to loads of audio books and few are as interesting as this one.

Very good book

Fundamental concepts in human nature that you can apply to designing effective marketing or communications.

Great Short Concise and to the point

Explores different points in just the right amount.
Some great concepts that make you think, and how advertisers try to catch you

Great for any marketer, or entrepreneur.

Good Info, fascinating, on viral spread of ideas

Narrator was very engaging with good stories.
Most chapters were excellent, good insights based on research, explaining how many ideas and products spread in the modern world ~ for example, watching iPhones getting blended.

Very useful

Good short series of lectures looking at psychology and sociology of communication, tech and marketing.