How Ideas Spread

By: Jonah Berger, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Jonah Berger

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 summary notes to compliment audible

the course was quite similar to the previous book the heath Brothers put out previously but I believe this was Superior because the great notes that came with it 4 later review.

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.

Campfire Talk or Facebook Chat: Technology changes, but underlying human psychology stays the same.

Viral Tweets, +followersNOT=+influence, using social media listening for market research, STEPPS six criteria for contagious communications, powerful insights.

Fantastic course on Big Ideas and Marketing

the professor does an excellent job of highlighting marketing concepts and ways to apply them only wish the course was longer and had more applied use cases

Should be titled "Intro to Marketing"

It wasn't really about ideas spreading in general, it was all from the angle of products and selling, and very little time was spent on internet/social media aspects of the topic.