Changing Minds

The Art and Science of Changing Our Own and Other People's Minds

Howard Gardner

Recommended By

Book Reviews

Book Synopsis

"Changing Minds" by Howard Gardner explores various factors and strategies that influence persuasion and the process of changing someone's mind.

In this thought-provoking book, Gardner delves into the complex dynamics of human cognition and highlights the power of various forms of intelligence in shaping individuals' beliefs and attitudes. Drawing on years of research and real-life examples, the author sheds light on the multifaceted nature of persuasion, emphasizing that it is not solely dependent on logical arguments or emotional appeals.

Gardner discusses the seven "levers" of persuasion, including reason, research, resonance, representational redescriptions, resources and rewards, real-world events, and resistance. Through each lever, he illustrates how different approaches can be employed to effectively change someone's viewpoint, even in the face of strong resistance.

The book also explores the concept of "multiple intelligences" and how understanding different cognitive strengths can enhance one's ability to influence others. Gardner emphasizes that these intelligences, such as linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal, play a significant role in both the persuasion process and the ability to resist persuasion.

As Gardner presents compelling insights, he emphasizes the importance of ethics and the need to be aware of the ethical boundaries when attempting to change minds. He encourages readers to consider the long-term consequences and potential ethical dilemmas associated with persuasive tactics.

"Changing Minds" provides a comprehensive understanding of persuasion and how it can be employed ethically and effectively. By incorporating psychological principles, real-life examples, and Gardner's expertise in multiple intelligences, this book offers valuable insights for anyone seeking to understand the intricacies of human persuasion and influence.

Explore More Books

See All
The Snowball
Bitcoin Billionaires
The Lizard King
However Long the Night
Showing Up for Life
Hackers & Painters
Binti
The Innovators Dilemma
The Robert Collier Letter Book
Humans Need Not Apply
Reamde
The Path To Power
One of a Kind
Sex, Murder, and the Meaning of Life
The Gift of Good Land
Limitless
Age Of Ambition
Genius
Same As Ever
The Stopwatch Gang
The Wisdom Paradox
Seeing Like a State
Bad For You
Consciousness Medicine
The Old Way
Ender's Shadow
Hell Yeah or No
The Copernican Revolution
The Evolving Self
Generations
The Printing Revolution in Early Modern Europe
Fauna & Family
Bel Canto
Understanding Michael Porter
American Prison
The Muqaddimah
My American Journey
Farsighted
Ghost Fleet
Shoe Dog
Getting Real
Golden Gates
Capital Returns
Conscious Business
Silently Seduced
The Opposing Shore
The Activist's Media Handbook
The Count of Monte Cristo
The Complete Guide to Sales Force Incentive Compensation
SuperFreakonomics
The Woman I Wanted to Be
A Guide To Econometrics
Bad Blood
The Case for Nationalism
How To Lie With Statistics
Charlie Munger
The Diversity Bonus
The Undercover Economist
Mycelium Running
Liftoff
The Most Powerful Idea In The World
The Startup Community Way
Born a Crime
Getting Better
Concorde
How To Live
Ending the War on Drugs
Self-Made Success
Selfish Reasons to Have More Kids
Data-Driven Marketing
Trust Me, I'm Lying
On Trails
Soon I Will Be Invincible
Origins of Political Order
The Hand
The Paleo Solution
Titan
Learn or Die
Moby Dick
Democracy In America
The Three Marriages
A Soldier of the Great War
The Great Rupture
The Prophet
On Power
The Wages of Guilt
The Smartest Guys In The Room
Lords of Finance
The Talent Code
Class Warfare
The Kill Chain
The Sum of Us
Working in Public
Fallen Leaves
The Vital Question
The Wealth and Poverty of Nations
Jim Grant UNICEF Visionary
The Alchemy of Finance
Zorba the Greek
Modern Aramaic (Assyrinan/Syriac) Dictionary