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How Minds Change

The Surprising Science of Belief, Opinion, and Persuasion

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How Minds Change

Written by: David McRaney
Narrated by: David McRaney
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About this listen

The 2022 Porchlight Marketing and Sales Book of the Year

A brain-bending investigation of why some people never change their minds—and others do in an instant—by the bestselling author of You Are Not So Smart

What made a prominent conspiracy-theorist YouTuber finally see that 9/11 was not a hoax? How do voter opinions shift from neutral to resolute? Can widespread social change only take place when a generation dies out? From one of our greatest thinkers on reasoning, HOW MINDS CHANGE is a book about the science, and the experience, of transformation.

When self-delusion expert and psychology nerd David McRaney began a book about how to change someone’s mind in one conversation, he never expected to change his own. But then a diehard 9/11 Truther’s conversion blew up his theories—inspiring him to ask not just how to persuade, but why we believe, from the eye of the beholder. Delving into the latest research of psychologists and neuroscientists, HOW MINDS CHANGE explores the limits of reasoning, the power of groupthink, and the effects of deep canvassing. Told with McRaney’s trademark sense of humor, compassion, and scientific curiosity, it’s an eye-opening journey among cult members, conspiracy theorists, and political activists, from Westboro Baptist Church picketers to LGBTQ campaigners in California—that ultimately challenges us to question our own motives and beliefs. In an age of dangerous conspiratorial thinking, can we rise to the occasion with empathy?

An expansive, big-hearted journalistic narrative, HOW MINDS CHANGE reaches surprising and thought-provoking conclusions, to demonstrate the rare but transformative circumstances under which minds can change.

©2022 David McRaney (P)2022 Penguin Audio
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What the critics say

"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

What listeners say about How Minds Change

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Excellent and begets discernment

I found this to be an interesting and insightful book and would recommend it to anyone. I also felt that it leaves much room for discernment (on the part of each reader) regarding how we might avoid creating the conditions whereby our normal human tendencies can lead to adoption of less beneficial beliefs and perspectives.

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great book.

great book with lots of amazing ideas and good examples to illustrate it all, definitely recommend the read.

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Timely and timeless food for thought

David McRaney presents a highly readable and listenable overview of his topic. I hesitate to distill it down too much in a review because this is a book that engages you in significant further reflection and conversation.

The author, who also does a fabulous job at narrating, takes us on a compelling journey through experiences, perspectives, motivations, assumptions and more as he discusses beliefs we hold and some of the circumstances that might influence a person to change or more fully commit to their beliefs.

He models and encourages empathy, compassion and respect for folks whose beliefs differ from our own. I'd love for everyone to read this book. I think we can all take something away to elevate our discussions with other people, and to improve the examination of our own beliefs and how they impact our perspectives and relationships.

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Great summary of WHY people believe what they do.

Well laid out and explained. The sources and experts were also given, so it wasn't information just from a single source or perspective.

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Excellent book

A thought-provoking and informative read that will be of interest to anyone interested in psychology, self-improvement, or understanding how the mind works. It offers valuable insights into the factors that influence our beliefs and behaviors, and practical strategies for changing them.

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Loved this book!

I read this with no real expectations but was really impressed with it. The narrator was great and stories were enjoyable and relatable.

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Expanded my understanding of how we got so Tribal

I appreciated David's narrative. He crafted lovely stories about how people changed their minds. He noted all of the psychological tendencies of humans - based on evolution. He described how delicately the unraveling of strongly held beliefs, needs to proceed based on human proclivity.
My biggest reservation is his decision to glom sexuality and gender identities into a "community". This is the accepted narrative of the day. I would argue a biologically innate same-sex attraction, which can be objectively proven, is fundamentally distinct from an ill-defined, exceedingly in flux, gender identity. I know many lesbians who will never allow society to impose the idea of a "girl dick" into their lives.

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Understanding HOW you understand

Really fascinating, with lots of cutting edge research and knowledge. It makes complex and abstract ideas more accessible.

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Highly recommend

This book blew my mind. It combines sociology, psychology and neurology to help understand why folks believe conspiracies. Guiding someone to their own realization is so much more effective than arguing the point if they are open minded. This gives us tools.
Sincere thank you to the author for this work.

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