The Ideological Brain: The Radical Science of Flexible Thinking - Hardcover

by Leor Zmigrod (Author)

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 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.

Author Biography

Dr. Leor Zmigrod is a prizewinning scientist and pioneer in the field of political neuroscience. She studied at the University of Cambridge as a Gates Scholar and has held visiting fellowships at Stanford, Harvard, and both the Berlin and Paris Institutes for Advanced Study. She was listed on Forbes's 30 Under 30 in Science and has won numerous prizes, including the Women of the Future Science Award and the Glushko Prize. Her research has been featured widely in the media, including in the New York Times, the Guardian, Financial Times, and New Scientist.