

David McRaney on How Minds Change
86 snips Sep 12, 2022
David McRaney, a journalist and author known for his work on how beliefs and opinions form, dives into the intricacies of changing minds. He discusses why merely providing facts doesn't shift beliefs, revealing that better education often leads to better rationalization of existing views. McRaney explores the emotional and narrative aspects that influence belief change, the challenges of engaging teens, and the power of strategic conversation in overcoming political disagreements. His insights highlight the importance of empathy and understanding in effective communication.
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Self-Awareness and Beliefs
- We aren't fully aware of what we know, don't know, or what motivates our beliefs.
- The smarter we get, the better we rationalize pre-existing beliefs, like motivated reasoning during relationships.
Anosognosia and Causal Narratives
- David McRaney recounts a story from David Eagleman about a patient with anosognosia.
- The patient couldn't close one eye but believed she could, highlighting how our brains create causal narratives.
Cognitive Dissonance and Justification
- Anosognosia patients deny disorders, creating rationalizations when confronted.
- This reveals how our brains handle cognitive dissonance, often resolving it through justification.