How Minds Change
We find ourselves in an era where many minds seem to be closed.
Why do we believe certain things, why do we keep believing, and why do we stop believing?
The answers can be found in a brain-bending investigation exploring the limits of reasoning, the power of groupthink, and the effects of deep canvassing.
Let’s take a look at some of my notes on ideas and concepts I found interesting from How Minds Change by David McRaney:
Let’s dive in!
1.) Even the most stubborn of believers can ultimately change their minds
In June 2011, five British conspiracy theorists embarked on a transatlantic journey from London to New York City for the BBC series “Conspiracy Road Trip.”
Picture it: a crew of skeptics globe-trotting to meet experts and eyewitnesses, challenging their beliefs with hard facts.
It’s like “The Amazing Race,” but with more conspiracy theories.
This episode is all about ‘truthers’ — people who were skeptical of the official story of the events 9/11.
Off these truthers go, jet-setting to New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, interacting with experts in explosions and demolition, seeing blueprints of the Twin Towers, and even attending flight school.
So, did anyone have a change of heart?
Actually, yes.
Charlie Veitch, one of the 9/11 skeptics, had his “a-ha” moment when he met Alice Hoagland and Tom Heidenberger, who had lost family members during the attacks.
But while Charlie had a change of heart, his fellow skeptics were still stuck in the conspiracy quicksand, claiming even grieving family members were part of the plot.
Now, let’s get real.
What made Charlie switch teams? Sure, evidence played a role, but there’s more to it.
It’s a fascinating look into why we cling to our beliefs, even when the facts beg to differ. Let’s explore the human psyche to better understand Charlie’s experience.
2.) People hold on to their beliefs because it feels psychologically safe
In 2016, a trio of researchers — Sarah Gimbel, Sam Harris, and Jonas Kaplan — decided to peek into the mind’s inner workings when faced with challenging beliefs.
They recruited opinionated individuals, slid them into MRI machines, and presented some potentially controversial counterarguments.
What did they find?
When it came to bland beliefs like “who invented the lightbulb,” participants’ brains were generally unbothered.
But toss in a hot-button issue like politics, and suddenly, their brains were like fireworks shows.
Why the dramatic difference?
Blame it on our brain’s obsession with belongingness. Our minds have a VIP section reserved for our like-minded tribe, where truth takes a backseat to loyalty.
After all, being part of the gang is safer than being right…right?
But hold on — loyalty isn’t set in stone. Just ask Charlie Veitch, who ditched the truther crew who were skeptical of 9/11.
Sometimes, finding a new group is more accessible than explaining to the old one why you’ve had a change of heart.
So, while facts matter, the sense of belonging pulls the strings in our brains.
3.) Face-to-face discussions can change a mind in 20 minutes
Humans have a knack for feeling confident in our ability to understand why we think, feel, and believe what we do.
We craft elaborate biographies for ourselves, painting a picture of rational individuals who carefully weigh evidence before reaching conclusions.
But here’s the thing: we’re often just spectators to our behavior, creating rationalizations and stories after the fact.
Have you ever tried to change someone’s mind with a bunch of facts, only to hit a brick wall?
Yes, it happens.
It turns out decisions are often made on a gut level first, with logic playing catch-up later.
Enter Steve Deline and his crew at the Leadership LAB.
For over a decade, they’ve been hitting the streets, engaging in “deep canvassing” — open, honest chats with other people that aim to sway opinions in under 20 minutes.
Instead of fighting it out, these canvassers listen, share vulnerabilities, and create a safe space for dialogue.
Through techniques like “modeling vulnerability,” where the canvassers themselves share past mistakes, they encourage others to do the same.
Arguing is not their style. They’re all about listening and respect.
While the jury’s still out on deep canvassing’s full impact, early results are promising.
So, could we use these tactics in our own everyday interactions? It’s worth trying and finding out.
4.) Use conversations to help people think better
“Anthony Magnabosco coined the term Street epistemology,” like deep canvassing’s cousin. Still, with a twist — it’s less about swaying opinions and more about questioning how people come to believe what they do.
The nine-step process starts with building rapport and ensuring the other person feels heard.
Then, we ask for a claim and clarify it before diving into the nitty-gritty of definitions.
Once we’ve established that, it’s time to gauge confidence levels and ask how they arrived at their certainty.
But here’s where it gets interesting — we’re not here to argue but to understand.
This next part, therefore, is all about uncovering the methods behind the other person’s beliefs. Are they relying on solid evidence, or is it more of a gut feeling?
We poke and prod, gently guiding the other person to consider what might change their mind.
Through it all, we listen, summarize, and reflect on their thoughts, encouraging them to keep questioning.
Here’s a quick recap of all nine steps:
- Establish rapport and seek consent.
- Ask for a claim.
- Confirm understanding of the claim.
- Clarify definitions.
- Identify confidence level.
- Identify reasons for confidence level.
- Investigate methods used to judge the quality of reasons.
- Understand the importance of evidence and the potential for mind change.
- Listen, summarize, and suggest continuing the conversation.
The goal isn’t to impose our beliefs but to spark self-reflection.
So, next time you are in a debate, why not try a little street epistemology? You might be pleasantly surprised by the results.
Conclusion
There you have it — how minds change. I hope the examples and definitions in this guide help you unlock the transformative power of changing minds and fostering understanding, empathy, and progress in your personal relationships and the broader society.
Loved this story and want to know more about book insights.
Ready for a weekly dose of inspiration and insight straight to your inbox?
Join our Wizdom Wednesday newsletter and discover practical wisdom from top self-help books.
Don’t miss this opportunity to discover your own personal growth and success secrets.
Hit subscribe today and start your journey to a better you!
Enjoy your self-development journey with the Wizdom.
Wizdom
Thank you for reading!
Have a wonderful time.
