Talking with People about Things, with David McRaney
Feb 3, 2021
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Science journalist and bestselling author David McRaney talks about how people change their minds, form their view of reality, conspiracy theory, QAnon, cognitive dissonance, and the importance of connection and respect in communication.
Reality is a subjective construct shaped by our priors and experiences, leading to diverse perspectives and the importance of empathy.
Motivated cognition influences beliefs, highlighting the need for metacognition and introspection to foster personal growth.
Technique rebuttal is an effective approach to persuasion that encourages individuals to reflect on their own reasoning, potentially leading to perspective shifts.
Deep dives
Understanding the Construction of Reality and Ambiguity
The podcast episode explores the concept of reality as a virtual construct created by the brain, highlighting how sensory information is disambiguated based on a person's priors and personal experiences. The example of the dress phenomenon is discussed, where different individuals perceive the colors differently due to variations in lighting and color constancy in the brain. This understanding of the subjective nature of perception and beliefs can lead to greater empathy and appreciation for diverse perspectives.
Motivated Cognition and the Role of Social Goals
The episode delves into the phenomenon of motivated cognition, where people's reasoning and beliefs are influenced by their social goals and desired reputation among their trusted peer group. These motivations often override accuracy and truth-seeking, shaping attitudes and beliefs. The importance of engaging in conversations that foster metacognition and encourage individuals to explore their own thinking is highlighted, allowing for personal growth and potential shifts in beliefs.
The Technique of Guided Introspection in Persuasion
The podcast discusses a technique for engaging in conversations that promote metacognition and introspection. The technique involves asking open-ended questions that guide individuals to examine their own reasoning behind their beliefs, values, and attitudes. Rather than trying to convince someone through logic or facts, this technique aims to create a safe space for individuals to reflect on their own cognitive processes and potentially reconsider their conclusions. This technique can be useful in facilitating productive discussions and helping people update their perspectives.
Understanding Cognitive Dissonance
Cognitive dissonance is a psychological phenomenon that occurs when conflicting information challenges our preconceived notions. This tension arises when we need to update our beliefs and can't ignore the new information. It is a crucial process for knowledge generation and development. The examples of children assimilating new knowledge, like identifying animals, illustrate how our models of the world continually evolve. Cognitive dissonance can lead to the formation of salient attitudes and the need to resolve the conflict. This conflict resolution can occur through the assimilation of new information or the accommodation of new perspectives.
Using Technique Rebuttal for Persuasion
Technique rebuttal is an effective approach to persuasion that focuses on engaging with individuals on the level of their processing rather than challenging their conclusions. Instead of debating facts or beliefs, this approach helps individuals explore their own minds and reasoning. By establishing rapport and allowing individuals to express their views, you create a safe space that invites reflection and metacognition. This technique involves asking individuals to make definitive claims, measure their confidence in those claims, and explore the reasoning behind them. Rather than trying to change minds directly, technique rebuttal guides the individuals through their own cognitive processes, fostering understanding and potentially opening the door for perspective shifts.
Host Michael Taft speaks with science journalist, author, and podcaster David McRaney about how people do (and do not) change their minds, how brains form their view of reality, conspiracy theory, the method of "technique rebuttal" vs. "topic rebuttal,' QAnon, motivated reasoning, the psychology of belief, and much more.
David McRaney is a science journalist and an internationally bestselling author, podcaster, and lecturer who created You Are Not So Smart.
David began a blog writing about the psychology of reasoning in 2009. That blog became an internationally bestselling book published by Penguin in 2011, now available in 17 languages. His second book, You Are Now Less Dumb, released in July of 2013, and his third book, How Minds Change, all about how people do and do not update their beliefs and attitudes as indiviudals and cultures, will be released by Penguin in 2021.
David currently hosts a bi-weekly, top-100 podcast about human judgment and decision-making, and travels around the planet giving lectures on the topics he covers in his books, blog, and podcast. In 2015, David appeared as himself in a national ad campaign for Reebok which he co-wrote. His writing has also been featured in campaigns for Heineken, Duck Tape, and others. He is currently working on a documentary about IQ and genius and a television show about how to better predict the impact of technological disruption.
