Book
The ideological brain : the radical science of flexible thinking / Leor Zmigrod.
Record details
- ISBN: 9781250344595 (hardcover)
- Physical Description: xii, 287 pages ; 25 cm
- Edition: First U.S. edition.
- Publisher: New York : Henry Holt and Company, 2025.
Content descriptions
| Bibliography, etc. Note: | Includes bibliographical references and index. |
| Formatted Contents Note: | Prologue : action potential -- Ideological possession -- An experiment -- Metaphors we believe by -- The birth of ideology -- The age of illusions -- Being a brain -- Thinking, ideologically -- A chicken-and-egg problem -- Young authoritarians -- Brainwashing a baby -- The rigid mind -- The dogmatic gene -- Darwin's secret -- Poliptical illusions -- Your emotional fingertips -- An ideology walks into a brain scanner -- Spiraling in and out -- The importance of being nested -- Otherwise -- Epilogue : going off-script. |
Search for related items by subject
| Subject: | Ideology > Psychological aspects. Neuropsychology > Political aspects. Political psychology > Physiological aspects. |
Available copies
- 1 of 1 copy available at Tsuga Consortium.
Holds
- 0 current holds with 1 total copy.
| Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeshore Branch | 320.019 Zmi | 31681010412526 | NONFIC | Available | - |
- Baker & Taylor
"Why do some people become radicalized? How do ideologies shape the human brain? And how can we unchain our minds from toxic dogmas? In The Ideological Brain, Leor Zmigrod reveals the deep connection between political beliefs and the biology of the brain. Drawing on her own pioneering research, she uncovers the complex interplay between biology and environment that predisposes some individuals to rigid ways of thinking, and explains how ideologies take hold of our brains, fundamentally changing the way we think, act and interact with others. She shows how ideologues of all types struggle to change their thought patterns when faced with new information, culminating in the radical message that our politics are not superficial but are woven into the fabric of our minds. This authoritative, accessible and playful blend of psychology, politics and philosophy explores the cutting-edge of the emerging field of political neuroscience. Zmigrod examines its historical roots before she looks to the future, considering the broader social and political implications of her groundbreaking research. Guiding readers through her experiments, she eventually describes what a free, authentic, and tolerant brain looks like, and explains how anyone can keep their mind open andflexible in the face of extremist ideologies"-- Provided by publisher. - Baker & Taylor
Explores how political and social beliefs are shaped by the brainâs structure and cognitive processes, revealing how rigid ideologies become ingrained, their roots in nature and nurture, and the societal implications of this research, offering strategies to foster open-mindedness across the ideological spectrum. Illustrations. - McMillan Palgrave
Named a best book of the year by The Guardian and The Telegraph
Why do some people become radicalized?
How do ideologies shape the human brain?
And how can we unchain our minds from toxic dogmas?
In The Ideological Brain, Leor Zmigrod reveals the deep connections between political beliefs and the biology of the brain. Drawing on her cutting-edge research, she exposes the complex interplay between cognition and environment that predisposes some individuals to inflexible ways of thinking. The human brain faces a set of dilemmas every day: how to achieve coherence from fragmented sensory inpsuts and how to attain connection with other people in an increasingly atomized and isolating world. Ideologies offer a shortcut, providing easy answers, scripts to follow, and a sense of shared identity. But ideologies also come at a cost: demanding conformity and suppressing individuality through rigid rules, repetitive rituals, and intolerance. Once ideologies grip our minds, they fundamentally transform the way we think, act, and interact with others, making us less sensitive and adaptable.
Guiding readers through her innovative experiments, Zmigrod uncovers the hidden mechanisms driving our beliefs and behaviors and argues that our politics are not superficial but rather woven into the fabric of our minds. Her results show that ideologues across the political spectrum struggle to change their thought patterns when faced with new information. While some individuals are more susceptible to dogmatic thinking than others, all of us can strive to be more flexible, and Zmigrod ultimately explains how we can keep our minds open in the face of extreme ideologies. Eye-opening, provocative, and unforgettable, The Ideological Brain is a groundbreaking book that challenges us to resist black-and-white thinking and reassess our closest convictions.
