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 Intel Trinity
Radical Chic and Mau-Mauing the Flak Catchers
Einstein
Shadow Divers
Wing Leader
The Fourth Revolution
Technopoly
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
Drunk Tank Pink
If At Birth You Don't Succeed
Endurance
The World Until Yesterday
Negotiating The Impossible
The New Penguin Atlas of Ancient History
Sleep in Art
Relentless
Bargaining for Advantage
The Path To Power
Medieval Technology and Social Change
Peak
Payoff
Richard Feynman
A Bite-Sized History of France
Life Ascending
Metamagical Themas
Childhood and Society
Let Your Life Speak
Q.E.D.
Confidence Game
The $12 Million Stuffed Shark
The Master Algorithm
A Gentleman in Moscow
The History of the Future
Writing My Wrongs
The Net & The Butterfly
Devil's Bargain
Netflixed
Turtles All The Way Down
Means Of Ascent
Guns, Sails, and Empires
The Paper Menagerie And Other Stories
The Immateriality of the Material
The Grid
Margaret Thatcher: Herself Alone
The Complete Sherlock Holmes
Mind-Body Problem
The Count of Monte Cristo
Absolute Tao
The Lifecycle of Software Objects
Catherine the Great
The Magic of Thinking Big
Co-Intelligence
Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll
Spiritually Incorrect Enlightenment
Quality Investing
Karl Marx's Theory of History
The Secret Life of Salvador Dalí
Crucial Conversations
Frisco Kid
Michael Jordan
A Very Expensive Poison
Dark Towers
Read Write Own
The Great War of Our Time
Virtual Society
Positioning
We Were Soldiers Once... And Young
The Battle of Alcazar
The Ancient City
Lasker's Manual of Chess
The Talent Code
Oranges
In Other Words
Rich Woman
The Gift of Adversity
Energy Myths and Realities
The Picture of Dorian Gray
Americana
American Crusade
The Fiat Standard
A Brief History of Time
Getting to Maybe
The New Atlantis
The Inflamed Mind
Triggered
The Hobbit
How Google Works
AOL.com
The Art of Seduction
Innovating Out of Crisis
Human Action
She Said
Shattered
Seveneves
The Iliad
The Charisma Myth
The Way of Kings
Seeking Wisdom
The Beginning Of Infinity
Taken for Granted