Where Do Our Beliefs Come From? - David McRaney

David McRaney is a psychologist, journalist and author. Where do our beliefs come from? How do we form opinions? Why are we persuaded by some points of view but not by others? These are important to understand if we are to avoid developing a biased, unrepresentative worldview, they've also been the focus of the last few years of David's research. Expect to learn how everybody in a group can believe something that nobody believes individually, why arguing online so rarely works, whether people really are becoming more ingrained into their beliefs, how the Westboro Baptist Church convinces its members, the best ways to persuade someone who disagrees with you and much more... Sponsors: Join the Modern Wisdom Community to connect with me & other listeners - https://modernwisdom.locals.com/ Get 15% discount on the amazing 6 Minute Diary at https://bit.ly/diarywisdom (use code MW15) (USA - search Amazon and use 15MINUTES) Get a Free Sample Pack of all LMNT Flavours at https://www.drinklmnt.com/modernwisdom (discount automatically applied) Get 10% discount on your first month from BetterHelp at https://betterhelp.com/modernwisdom (discount automatically applied) Extra Stuff: Buy How Minds Change - https://amzn.to/3OxpZeJ Follow David on Twitter - https://twitter.com/davidmcraney Get my free Reading List of 100 books to read before you die → https://chriswillx.com/books/ To support me on Patreon (thank you): https://www.patreon.com/modernwisdom #psychology #beliefs #cognition - 00:00 Intro 00:31 What is a Belief? 08:55 Finding Truth in the Information Era 16:27 Is More Information Actually Beneficial? 21:48 People are Biased & Lazy 29:34 Studying the Westboro Baptist Church 36:05 Lessons from The Jim Jones Massacre 47:16 The Dynamics of Change & Adaptation 53:32 Why Arguing Is Good 1:00:02 Where to Find David - Join the Modern Wisdom Community on Locals - https://modernwisdom.locals.com/ Listen to all episodes on audio: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2MNqIgw Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2LSimPn - Get in touch in the comments below or head to... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx Email: https://chriswillx.com/contact/

David McRaneyguestChris Williamsonhost

Jun 30, 20221h 1mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: June 30, 2022
Duration: 1h 1m
Channel: Modern Wisdom
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

David McRaney is a psychologist, journalist and author. Where do our beliefs come from? How do we form opinions? Why are we persuaded by some points of view but not by others? These are important to understand if we are to avoid developing a biased, unrepresentative worldview, they've also been the focus of the last few years of David's research. Expect to learn how everybody in a group can believe something that nobody believes individually, why arguing online so rarely works, whether people really are becoming more ingrained into their beliefs, how the Westboro Baptist Church convinces its members, the best ways to persuade someone who disagrees with you and much more... Sponsors: Join the Modern Wisdom Community to connect with me & other listeners - https://modernwisdom.locals.com/ Get 15% discount on the amazing 6 Minute Diary at https://bit.ly/diarywisdom (use code MW15) (USA - search Amazon and use 15MINUTES) Get a Free Sample Pack of all LMNT Flavours at https://www.drinklmnt.com/modernwisdom (discount automatically applied) Get 10% discount on your first month from BetterHelp at https://betterhelp.com/modernwisdom (discount automatically applied) Extra Stuff: Buy How Minds Change - https://amzn.to/3OxpZeJ Follow David on Twitter - https://twitter.com/davidmcraney Get my free Reading List of 100 books to read before you die → https://chriswillx.com/books/ To support me on Patreon (thank you): https://www.patreon.com/modernwisdom #psychology #beliefs #cognition - 00:00 Intro 00:31 What is a Belief? 08:55 Finding Truth in the Information Era 16:27 Is More Information Actually Beneficial? 21:48 People are Biased & Lazy 29:34 Studying the Westboro Baptist Church 36:05 Lessons from The Jim Jones Massacre 47:16 The Dynamics of Change & Adaptation 53:32 Why Arguing Is Good 1:00:02 Where to Find David - Join the Modern Wisdom Community on Locals - https://modernwisdom.locals.com/ Listen to all episodes on audio: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2MNqIgw Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2LSimPn - Get in touch in the comments below or head to... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx Email: https://chriswillx.com/contact/

SPEAKERS

David McRaney
guest
Chris Williamson
host

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Modern Wisdom, featuring David McRaney and Chris Williamson, Where Do Our Beliefs Come From? - David McRaney explores why Minds Resist Change: Beliefs, Belonging, and Better Arguments Explained David McRaney and Chris Williamson explore where beliefs come from, why they’re so hard to change, and how modern information environments amplify polarization. McRaney explains that what we call “beliefs” are often bundles of facts, attitudes, values, and emotions, and that feelings frequently drive our search for justifying evidence rather than the other way around. They discuss motivated reasoning, social media’s role in rapid group formation, pluralistic ignorance, and the primacy of social belonging over factual accuracy—even to the point of death. McRaney then outlines research-backed methods, such as motivational interviewing and deep canvassing, that can genuinely help people reconsider their views.

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