How Minds Change (the New Science Of Belief, Opinion And Persuasion)

Our most deeply held opinions and beliefs can be changed – here’s how.

In an increasingly polarised world, it sometimes feels impossible to talk to someone you disagree with, let alone change their mind.

However, you could be just one conversation away from reshaping someone''s world view – here''s how...

‘In a time when too many minds seem closed, this is a masterful analysis of what it takes to open them.’ ADAM GRANT, AUTHOR OF THINK AGAIN 

Self-delusion expert and psychology nerd David McRaney sets out to discover not just what it takes to influence others, but why we believe in the first place. Along the way he meets a former Westboro Baptist Church member who was de-radicalised on Twitter, goes deep canvassing to see how quickly people will surrender their character-defining views, finds a former 9/11 Truther who turned his back on it all, and reveals how, within a few years, half a country can go from opposing the ‘gay agenda’ to happily attending same-sex weddings.

Distilling the latest research in psychology and neuroscience, How Minds Change reveals how beliefs take hold, not over hundreds of years, but in less than a generation, in less than a decade, and sometimes in an instant.

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‘Optimistic, illuminating and even inspiring.’ GUARDIAN

‘A tonic for those who might scratch their head at how others could be so nonsensical.’ NEW SCIENTIST

‘How Minds Change brings us face to face with the radically weird science of how our thoughts, perceptions, and beliefs are actually formed, and how they can, for better or worse, be modified.’ JORDAN ELLENBERG

‘An optimistic, illuminating and even inspiring read.’

‘Fascinating.’

‘The concept – that, with more knowledge, long-held hypotheses can be disproved – isn’t likely to be news… But it doesn’t make McRaney’s book any less interesting… [McRaney’s] writing is a tonic for those who might scratch their head at how others could be so nonsensical.’

‘How Minds Change brings us face to face with the radically weird science of how our thoughts, perceptions, and beliefs are actually formed, and how they can, for better or worse, be modified. The sensation this book creates of being a bit of a stranger to one’s own mind is not entirely comfortable, but it is surely worthwhile.’

‘David McRaney is one of our finest science communicators and How Minds Change is his greatest achievement yet. Brilliantly smart, continually entertaining and utterly timely, it will change the way you see the world – and help you change others.’

‘A riveting read on the art and science of persuasion. David McRaney’s brilliant book will force you to rethink your views about how to motivate other people to rethink theirs. In a time when too many minds seem closed, this is a masterful analysis of what it takes to open them.’

‘When I first talked to David McRaney about How Minds Change, I found myself taking mad notes on everything he was explaining to me! Thank goodness he wrote the book so I can relax and just soak it all in!’

‘If you join David McRaney on this journey – a spirited tour that ranges from activists to scientists to cultists – you’ll arrive in an unexpected place. He shows us how generous conversations can replace zero-sum debates and how genuine empathy can close deep divisions. How Minds Change is the ideal book for our perilous mo