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The cover of How Minds Change

How Minds Change

David McRaney

Why facts alone rarely change minds, and how deep canvassing, street epistemology and other conversation methods help people talk themselves into new views on gay marriage, abortion and vaccines.

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12 parts, about 25 minutes to read.

Why read it

  • Learn the steps of deep canvassing and street epistemology, from asking for a confidence rating to exploring the reasons behind it
  • See why challenging evidence can strengthen a belief until doubt crosses a threshold, and why belonging often outweighs facts
  • Follow people who left a conspiracy movement or a church and see what moved them, from kindness to a welcoming community outside

Who it is for

  • People arguing politics or science with family and friends
  • Organizers, campaigners and communicators trying to shift opinion
  • Readers puzzled by why people dig in when shown evidence

What the summary covers

  1. Introduction2 min
  2. Post Truth2 min
  3. Deep Canvassing3 min
  4. Socks and Crocs2 min
  5. Disequilibrium2 min
  6. Westboro2 min
  7. The Truth Is Tribal2 min
  8. Arguing2 min
  9. Persuasion2 min
  10. Street Epistemology3 min
  11. Social Change2 min
  12. Coda1 min

Recommended by

  • Adam Grant#1 New York Times bestselling author of Think Again
    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.
  • Daniel H. Pink#1 New York Times bestselling author of Drive
    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 moment.
  • Laurie SantosYale psychology professor, host of The Happiness Lab podcast
    McRaney’s book provides a surprising glimpse into why changing human minds is so damn hard… but also the good news that it can in fact be possible with the right strategies.
  • Julia GalefAuthor of The Scout Mindset
    McRaney’s topic in How Minds Change couldn’t be more important, and he’s the perfect guide to it: warm, witty, and powered by an infectious curiosity.
  • AJ JacobsJournalist and author of The Year of Living Biblically
    David McRaney changed my mind about changing minds. Now I think it is possible. All is not lost.
  • Rory SutherlandVice Chairman at Ogilvy UK and author of Alchemy
    That very rare thing – an astonishingly interesting book on a vitally important topic.

About the author

  • David McRaneyScience journalist who writes about psychology and why people change their minds
    • He is a science journalist and bestselling author who writes about brains, minds and cultures.
    • He has won the William Randolph Hearst Award for journalism twice.
    • He lives in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
    • He created the blog, book and podcast You Are Not So Smart, which he calls a celebration of self delusion.
    • He has written for publications from Wired to Politico and lectured at organizations including NASA and the BBC.
    • The Society for Personality and Social Psychology gave him its Excellence in Science Journalism Award for How Minds Change.
    • He is a writer in residence at the Litowitz Center for Enlightened Disagreement at Northwestern University.
    • He is the CEO of the School of Thought, a nonprofit that provides critical thinking teaching materials.

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