How Minds Change

The Surprising Science of Belief, Opinion, and Persuasion

By: David McRaney

Narrated by: David McRaney

Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

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

Critic reviews

"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,

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.

Amazing

This book was so incredibly influential and has impacted my way of life. This should be required college reading

Changed my mind

Really recontextualized alot of ideas I had about whether or not it was even possible to change some people's mind and successfully changed mine in the process. Enjoyed it so much I decided to get a physical copy.

An important read (listen)

The author reads this himself and he has a wonderful narrative voice. It also means you get the exact tone, inflection, and intention directly from the author. This is an excellent exploration of ethical conversations that plant the seed of change in someone’s mind. Highly recommended.

You and others Change Minds. How and Why

Engaging enough to twice listen, and I will again. How, Why and How-to. Excellent. Illuminating.