The ideological brain : the radical science of flexible thinking / Leor Zmigrod.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Zmigrod, Leor, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Political psychology--Physiological aspects.

Political psychology.

Ideology--Psychological aspects.

Ideology.

Neuropsychology--Political aspects.

Neuropsychology.

Physical Description:

xii, 287 pages ; 25 cm

Edition:

First U.S. edition.

Place of Publication:

New York : Henry Holt and Company, 2025.

Summary:

"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 and flexible in the face of extremist ideologies"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

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.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781250344595

125034459X

OCLC:

1482188596