The Ideological Brain

The Radical Science of Flexible Thinking

De: Leor Zmigrod

Narrado por: Tania Rodrigues

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 listeners 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.

A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt & Company.

©2025 Leor Zmigrod (P)2025 Macmillan Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Filled with insightful findings, this book shows that ideological extremism and polarization are not just problems to fret about but puzzles that can be studied and understood."—Steven Pinker, Johnstone Family Professor of Psychology at Harvard University and author of Rationality

“The notion that political phenomena would somehow exist in a realm separate from that of human life regulation is pure fiction as Leor Zmigrod demonstrates so clearly. Her book is a must read.”—Antonio Damasio, David Dornsife Chair in Neuroscience at USC, author of Feeling and Knowing

“This remarkable book tells us something fascinating and heartening about the neuroscience of our inflexibilities and our dogmatisms. Lucid and eloquent, The Ideological Brain couldn't be more timely.”—Adam Phillips, author of Missing Out