How Minds Change
The Surprising Science of Belief, Opinion, and Persuasion
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy Now for $23.31
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
David McRaney
-
Written by:
-
David McRaney
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 AudioYou may also enjoy...
-
Successful Aging
- A Neuroscientist Explores the Power and Potential of Our Lives
- Written by: Daniel J. Levitin
- Narrated by: Daniel J. Levitin
- Length: 18 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Levitin looks at the science behind what we all can learn from those who age joyously, as well as how to adapt our culture to take full advantage of older people's wisdom and experience. Throughout his exploration of what aging really means, using research from developmental neuroscience and the psychology of individual differences, Levitin reveals resilience strategies and practical, cognitive enhancing tricks everyone should do as they age.
-
-
Less about Aging Successfully Then I Thought
- By Marcella Cooper on 2023-03-20
Written by: Daniel J. Levitin
-
The Art of Thinking Clearly
- Written by: Rolf Dobelli
- Narrated by: Eric Conger
- Length: 7 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A novelist, thinker, and entrepreneur, Rolf Dobelli deftly shows that in order to lead happier, more prosperous lives, we don't need extra cunning, new ideas, shiny gadgets, or more frantic hyperactivity - all we need is less irrationality. Simple, clear, and always surprising, this indispensable audiobook will change the way you think and transform your decision making - at work, at home, every day.
-
-
A very unexpected read.
- By FrankCo on 2018-09-17
Written by: Rolf Dobelli
-
You Are Not So Smart
- Why You Have Too Many Friends on Facebook, Why Your Memory Is Mostly Fiction, and 46 Other Ways You're Deluding Yourself
- Written by: David McRaney
- Narrated by: Don Hagen
- Length: 8 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
An entertaining illumination of the stupid beliefs that make us feel wise. You believe you are a rational, logical being who sees the world as it really is, but journalist David McRaney is here to tell you that you're as deluded as the rest of us. But that's OK - delusions keep us sane. You Are Not So Smart is a celebration of self-delusion. It's like a psychology class, with all the boring parts taken out, and with no homework. Based on the popular blog of the same name, You Are Not So Smart collects more than 46 of the lies we tell ourselves everyday.
-
-
Eye opening
- By Dale on 2018-05-04
Written by: David McRaney
-
Six-Minute X-Ray
- Rapid Behavior Profiling
- Written by: Chase Hughes
- Narrated by: Jonam Ross
- Length: 6 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With skills specifically designed for intelligence operations, Chase Hughes releases yet another groundbreaking audiobook. In Six Minute X-Ray, you’ll learn the most powerful people-reading system in the world. Chase exposes and unpacks simple techniques that come together to allow you to see beyond the mask that anyone is wearing. In less than six minutes, you’ll know more about the hidden side of the person you’re speaking to than their own friends and family - no joke.
-
-
Content very good
- By Vicki Collins on 2023-01-25
Written by: Chase Hughes
-
The Motivation Myth
- How High Achievers Really Set Themselves Up to Win
- Written by: Jeff Haden
- Narrated by: Ray Porter
- Length: 6 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It's comforting to imagine that superstars in their fields were just born better equipped than the rest of us. When a co-worker loses 20 pounds, or a friend runs a marathon while completing a huge project at work, we assume they have more grit, more willpower, more innate talent, and above all, more motivation to see their goals through. But that's not at actually true, as popular Inc.com columnist Jeff Haden proves. "Motivation" as we know it is a myth. Motivation isn't the special sauce that we require at the beginning of any major change.
-
-
Incredibly Negative Tone
- By Brandy on 2021-10-19
Written by: Jeff Haden
-
You Are Now Less Dumb
- How to Conquer Mob Mentality, How to Buy Happiness, and All the Other Ways to Outsmart Yourself
- Written by: David McRaney
- Narrated by: Don Hagen
- Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
You Are Now Less Dumb is grounded in the idea that we all believe ourselves to be objective observers of reality - except we’re not. But that's okay, because our delusions keep us sane. Expanding on this premise, McRaney provides eye-opening analyses of 15 more ways we fool ourselves every day. This smart and highly entertaining audiobook will be wowing listeners for years to come.
-
-
Great Book
- By Anonymous User on 2020-10-25
Written by: David McRaney
-
Successful Aging
- A Neuroscientist Explores the Power and Potential of Our Lives
- Written by: Daniel J. Levitin
- Narrated by: Daniel J. Levitin
- Length: 18 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Levitin looks at the science behind what we all can learn from those who age joyously, as well as how to adapt our culture to take full advantage of older people's wisdom and experience. Throughout his exploration of what aging really means, using research from developmental neuroscience and the psychology of individual differences, Levitin reveals resilience strategies and practical, cognitive enhancing tricks everyone should do as they age.
-
-
Less about Aging Successfully Then I Thought
- By Marcella Cooper on 2023-03-20
Written by: Daniel J. Levitin
-
The Art of Thinking Clearly
- Written by: Rolf Dobelli
- Narrated by: Eric Conger
- Length: 7 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A novelist, thinker, and entrepreneur, Rolf Dobelli deftly shows that in order to lead happier, more prosperous lives, we don't need extra cunning, new ideas, shiny gadgets, or more frantic hyperactivity - all we need is less irrationality. Simple, clear, and always surprising, this indispensable audiobook will change the way you think and transform your decision making - at work, at home, every day.
-
-
A very unexpected read.
- By FrankCo on 2018-09-17
Written by: Rolf Dobelli
-
You Are Not So Smart
- Why You Have Too Many Friends on Facebook, Why Your Memory Is Mostly Fiction, and 46 Other Ways You're Deluding Yourself
- Written by: David McRaney
- Narrated by: Don Hagen
- Length: 8 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
An entertaining illumination of the stupid beliefs that make us feel wise. You believe you are a rational, logical being who sees the world as it really is, but journalist David McRaney is here to tell you that you're as deluded as the rest of us. But that's OK - delusions keep us sane. You Are Not So Smart is a celebration of self-delusion. It's like a psychology class, with all the boring parts taken out, and with no homework. Based on the popular blog of the same name, You Are Not So Smart collects more than 46 of the lies we tell ourselves everyday.
-
-
Eye opening
- By Dale on 2018-05-04
Written by: David McRaney
-
Six-Minute X-Ray
- Rapid Behavior Profiling
- Written by: Chase Hughes
- Narrated by: Jonam Ross
- Length: 6 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With skills specifically designed for intelligence operations, Chase Hughes releases yet another groundbreaking audiobook. In Six Minute X-Ray, you’ll learn the most powerful people-reading system in the world. Chase exposes and unpacks simple techniques that come together to allow you to see beyond the mask that anyone is wearing. In less than six minutes, you’ll know more about the hidden side of the person you’re speaking to than their own friends and family - no joke.
-
-
Content very good
- By Vicki Collins on 2023-01-25
Written by: Chase Hughes
-
The Motivation Myth
- How High Achievers Really Set Themselves Up to Win
- Written by: Jeff Haden
- Narrated by: Ray Porter
- Length: 6 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It's comforting to imagine that superstars in their fields were just born better equipped than the rest of us. When a co-worker loses 20 pounds, or a friend runs a marathon while completing a huge project at work, we assume they have more grit, more willpower, more innate talent, and above all, more motivation to see their goals through. But that's not at actually true, as popular Inc.com columnist Jeff Haden proves. "Motivation" as we know it is a myth. Motivation isn't the special sauce that we require at the beginning of any major change.
-
-
Incredibly Negative Tone
- By Brandy on 2021-10-19
Written by: Jeff Haden
-
You Are Now Less Dumb
- How to Conquer Mob Mentality, How to Buy Happiness, and All the Other Ways to Outsmart Yourself
- Written by: David McRaney
- Narrated by: Don Hagen
- Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
You Are Now Less Dumb is grounded in the idea that we all believe ourselves to be objective observers of reality - except we’re not. But that's okay, because our delusions keep us sane. Expanding on this premise, McRaney provides eye-opening analyses of 15 more ways we fool ourselves every day. This smart and highly entertaining audiobook will be wowing listeners for years to come.
-
-
Great Book
- By Anonymous User on 2020-10-25
Written by: David McRaney
-
Stealing Fire
- How Silicon Valley, the Navy SEALs, and Maverick Scientists Are Revolutionizing the Way We Live and Work
- Written by: Steven Kotler, Jamie Wheal
- Narrated by: Fred Sanders
- Length: 8 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The authors of the best-selling Bold and The Rise of Superman explore altered states of consciousness and how they can ignite passion, fuel creativity, and accelerate problem solving, in this groundbreaking book in the vein of Daniel Pink's Drive and Charles Duhigg's Smarter Faster Better.
-
-
This is by far the best non-fiction book I have read to date
- By James on 2018-12-08
Written by: Steven Kotler, and others
-
The Big Picture
- On the Origins of Life, Meaning, and the Universe Itself
- Written by: Sean Carroll
- Narrated by: Sean Carroll
- Length: 17 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Already internationally acclaimed for his elegant, lucid writing on the most challenging notions in modern physics, Sean Carroll is emerging as one of the greatest humanist thinkers of his generation as he brings his extraordinary intellect to bear not only on the Higgs boson and extra dimensions but now also on our deepest personal questions. Where are we? Who are we? Are our emotions, our beliefs, and our hopes and dreams ultimately meaningless out there in the void?
-
-
Maybe angels are transgender...
- By Count Erklock on 2019-10-12
Written by: Sean Carroll
-
Good Arguments
- How Debate Teaches Us to Listen and Be Heard
- Written by: Bo Seo
- Narrated by: Bo Seo
- Length: 10 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Bo Seo was 8 years old, he and his family migrated from Korea to Australia. At the time, he did not speak English, and, unsurprisingly, struggled at school. But, then, in fifth grade, something happened to change his life: he discovered competitive debate. Immediately, he was hooked. It turned out, perhaps counterintuitively, that debating was the perfect activity for someone shy and unsure of himself. It became a way for Bo not only to find his voice, but to excel socially and academically. And he’s not the only one.
-
-
Good lesson on how to listen
- By Amazon Customer on 2023-01-26
Written by: Bo Seo
-
Trust Me, I'm Lying
- Confessions of a Media Manipulator
- Written by: Ryan Holiday
- Narrated by: Ryan Holiday
- Length: 6 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
You’ve seen it all before. A malicious online rumor costs a company millions. A political sideshow derails the national news cycle and destroys a candidate. Some product or celebrity zooms from total obscurity to viral sensation. What you don’t know is that someone is responsible for all this. Usually, someone like me. I’m a media manipulator. In a world where blogs control and distort the news, my job is to control blogs - as much as any one person can.
-
-
A tad repetitive
- By Abdessalam A on 2024-12-12
Written by: Ryan Holiday
-
The Price of Time
- The Real Story of Interest
- Written by: Edward Chancellor
- Narrated by: Luis Soto
- Length: 15 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the beginning was the loan, and the loan carried interest. For at least five millennia people have been borrowing and lending at interest. Yet as capitalism became established from the late Middle Ages onwards, denunciations of interest were tempered because interest was a necessary reward for lenders to part with their capital. And interest performs many other vital functions: it encourages people to save; enables them to place a value on precious assets, such as houses and all manner of financial securities; and allows us to price risk.
-
-
A Very INTERESTing Story
- By Tariq Rana on 2024-10-31
Written by: Edward Chancellor
-
All In
- How Great Leaders Build Unstoppable Teams
- Written by: Mike Michalowicz
- Narrated by: Mike Michalowicz
- Length: 7 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
ALL IN is the pinnacle book in Mike Michalowicz's Entrepreneurship Simplified series, setting the standard for building high-performing teams in today’s challenging work environment. Whether dealing with remote work, flex schedules, or generational divides, ALL IN provides a proven framework for recruiting top talent, transforming underperformers into superstars, and cultivating a culture where every employee is as dedicated as an owner.
-
-
I’m going all in on my team!
- By Ali Turton Photography on 2024-01-05
Written by: Mike Michalowicz
-
The Fine Art of Small Talk
- How to Start a Conversation, Keep It Going, Build Networking Skills - and Leave a Positive Impression!
- Written by: Debra Fine
- Narrated by: Debra Fine
- Length: 4 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Nationally recognized communication expert, keynote speaker and trainer and best-selling author Debra Fine reveals the techniques and strategies anyone can use to make small talk—in any situation. With practical advice and conversation cheat sheets, The Fine Art of Small Talk will help you learn to feel more comfortable in any type of social situation.
-
-
Simple and yet effective
- By Max-Alexandre Trahan on 2023-09-08
Written by: Debra Fine
-
Stories That Stick
- How Storytelling Can Captivate Customers, Influence Audiences, and Transform Your Business
- Written by: Kindra Hall
- Narrated by: Kindra Hall
- Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Stories That Stick provides a clear framework of ideals and a concise set of actions for you to take complete control of your own story, utilizing the principles behind the world’s most effective business storytelling strategies. Telling these stories well is a simple, accessible skill anyone can develop. With case studies, company profiles, and anecdotes backed with original research, Hall presents storytelling as the underutilized talent that separates the good from the best in business.
-
-
Diamond in the Rough
- By C. L. Aingworth on 2020-05-12
Written by: Kindra Hall
-
Measure What Matters
- How Google, Bono, and the Gates Foundation Rock the World with OKRs
- Written by: John Doerr, Larry Page - foreword
- Narrated by: John Doerr, full cast, Julia Collins, and others
- Length: 7 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Measure What Matters, Doerr shares a broad range of first-person, behind-the-scenes case studies, with narrators including Bono and Bill Gates, to demonstrate the focus, agility, and explosive growth that the Objectives and Key Results system has spurred at so many great organizations. This book will help a new generation of leaders capture the same magic.
-
-
Nothing but marketing material for OKRs
- By Jon Jon on 2019-01-05
Written by: John Doerr, and others
-
Fossil Future
- Why Global Human Flourishing Requires More Oil, Coal, and Natural Gas—Not Less
- Written by: Alex Epstein
- Narrated by: Alex Epstein
- Length: 16 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For over a decade, philosopher and energy expert Alex Epstein has predicted that any negative impacts of fossil fuel use on our climate will be outweighed by the unique benefits of fossil fuels to human flourishing--including their unrivaled ability to provide low-cost, reliable energy to billions of people around the world, especially the world’s poorest people. And contrary to what we hear from media “experts” about today’s “renewable revolution” and “climate emergency,” reality has proven Epstein right.
-
-
Clearly a salesman paid for by big energy.
- By Ben on 2022-10-04
Written by: Alex Epstein
-
Brain Rules (Updated and Expanded)
- 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School
- Written by: John Medina
- Narrated by: John Medina
- Length: 8 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the New York Times bestseller Brain Rules, Dr. John Medina, a molecular biologist, shares his lifelong interest in how the brain sciences might influence the way we teach our children and the way we work. In each chapter, he describes a brain rule - what scientists know for sure about how our brains work - and then offers transformative ideas for our daily lives. Medina’s fascinating stories and infectious sense of humor breathe life into brain science.
Written by: John Medina
-
F*ck No!
- How to Stop Saying Yes When You Can't, You Shouldn't, or You Just Don't Want To
- Written by: Sarah Knight
- Narrated by: Sarah Knight
- Length: 5 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Are you burnt out from taking on more than you can handle or accepting less than you deserve? Tired of giving in instead of sticking up for yourself? Sick of saying yes all the time? You're gonna love F*CK NO! No is an acceptable answer, and it's time to start using it. Whether you're a People-Pleaser, Overachiever, Pushover, or have serious FOMO, bestselling "anti-guru" Sarah Knight helps you say what you really mean without being really mean—or burning out for fear of missing out.
-
-
Waste of time.
- By Stephen Boudreau on 2020-01-09
Written by: Sarah Knight
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
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Alex Hutton, Vancouver, BC
- 2022-07-07
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- felipe klopffleisch
- 2022-08-31
great book.
great book with lots of amazing ideas and good examples to illustrate it all, definitely recommend the read.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- c
- 2022-06-26
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Larissa Payne
- 2024-08-10
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 2023-04-29
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Naha
- 2023-10-20
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- KC McGill
- 2024-02-26
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- AW
- 2022-07-22
Understanding HOW you understand
Really fascinating, with lots of cutting edge research and knowledge. It makes complex and abstract ideas more accessible.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- shanon
- 2022-07-26
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.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!