Clearer Thinking with Spencer Greenberg Deep canvassing, street epistemology, and other tools of persuasion (with David McRaney)
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Jun 28, 2023 
David McRaney, a science journalist and author, dives deep into the art of persuasion, contrasting it with coercion. He explores the Elaboration Likelihood Model and the psychological underpinnings of motivated reasoning. McRaney discusses persuasive techniques like deep canvassing and street epistemology, emphasizing empathy and rapport in conversations. The episode raises intriguing questions about belief, evidence, and how our mental frameworks can obstruct acceptance of new ideas. It’s a thought-provoking look at changing minds and navigating biases.
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Factors Influencing Elaboration
- Two factors influence elaboration likelihood: motivation and ability.
- Motivation increases when the topic is personally relevant, familiar, or has social implications. Ability is affected by cognitive load and external factors.
Assimilation vs. Accommodation
- Minds change through assimilation (fitting new information into existing models) or accommodation (adjusting models for new information).
- Adults favor assimilation due to its lower cognitive cost and risk.
Magnetic Concept Problem
- The "magnetic concept problem" occurs when people stick to existing concepts, making it difficult to introduce new, similar ones.
- Priors heavily influence how we process unfamiliar information.
