The Ideological Brain

‘Fascinating, insightful, lucidly and entertainingly written’ A. C. GRAYLING, author of The History of Philosophy ‘Extraordinary, eye-opening, startlingly original’ CASS R. SUNSTEIN, co-author of Nudge ‘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, author of The Better Angels of Our Nature How do our brains shape the ideologies we choose? And could our most cherished beliefs ultimately harm our brains and bodies? In The Ideological Brain , Dr Leor Zmigrod argues that when we believe passionately and extremely in an ideology, it is not only our political opinions that are changed – our entire brain can be transformed too. Drawing on cutting-edge research, Zmigrod reveals how rigid belief systems transform the way we think, act and interact with others, making us less sensitive, less adaptable and less free. Guiding you through innovative experiments, Zmigrod uncovers the deep and surprising connections between your political beliefs and the biology of your brain, exposing why some of us are more likely to gravitate towards rigid ideologies than others. She reveals the complex interplay between the psychological, neurobiological and social factors affecting our ideological choices, and carves a hopeful way forward, explaining how we can keep our minds open and free in the face of extreme ideologies. Eye-opening, provocative, and unforgettable, The Ideological Brain is a groundbreaking book that challenges you to resist black-and-white thinking and reassess your closest convictions. ‘Lucid, eloquent, timely’ ADAM PHILLIPS, author of Missing Out ‘Deeply fascinating and beautifully written’ JULIA EBNER, author of Going Dark ‘One of the most brain-frying books I have read in an incredibly long time.’ JOHN BURN-MURDOCH, chief data reporter, Financial Times

‘Fascinating, insightful, lucidly and entertainingly written’ A. C. GRAYLING, author of The History of Philosophy ‘Extraordinary, eye-opening, startlingly original’ CASS R. SUNSTEIN, co-author of Nudge ‘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, author of The Better Angels of Our Nature How do our brains shape the ideologies we choose? And could our most cherished beliefs ultimately harm our brains and bodies? In The Ideological Brain , Dr Leor Zmigrod argues that when we believe passionately and extremely in an ideology, it is not only our political opinions that are changed – our entire brain can be transformed too. Drawing on cutting-edge research, Zmigrod reveals how rigid belief systems transform the way we think, act and interact with others, making us less sensitive, less adaptable and less free. Guiding you through innovative experiments, Zmigrod uncovers the deep and surprising connections between your political beliefs and the biology of your brain, exposing why some of us are more likely to gravitate towards rigid ideologies than others. She reveals the complex interplay between the psychological, neurobiological and social factors affecting our ideological choices, and carves a hopeful way forward, explaining how we can keep our minds open and free in the face of extreme ideologies. Eye-opening, provocative, and unforgettable, The Ideological Brain is a groundbreaking book that challenges you to resist black-and-white thinking and reassess your closest convictions. ‘Lucid, eloquent, timely’ ADAM PHILLIPS, author of Missing Out ‘Deeply fascinating and beautifully written’ JULIA EBNER, author of Going Dark ‘One of the most brain-frying books I have read in an incredibly long time.’ JOHN BURN-MURDOCH, chief data reporter, Financial Times

THE TELEGRAPH BEST BOOKS OF 2025 | THE GUARDIAN BRILLIANT BOOKS TO READ IN 2025 ‘Massively important...Zmigrod is a joyful and compelling writer’ THE SUNDAY TIMES 'Fascinating, insightful, lucidly and entertainingly written' A. C. GRAYLING ‘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 'Extraordinary, eye-opening and startlingly original' CASS R. SUNSTEIN Why are some people radicalised? Who is most susceptible to ideological thinking? Can we unchain our minds from toxic dogmas? In today's polarised world, The Ideological Brain is essential reading to foster a more informed, resilient and freer society. Packed with Dr Leor Zmigrod's groundbreaking new research, it uncovers the hidden mechanisms driving our beliefs and behaviours, and zooms into the processes happening inside each of us to shows how to spot – and stop – rigid thinking in ourselves and others. With captivating real-world examples, like how a simple card sorting game can reveal your entire approach to life, Dr Leor Zmigrod reveals how cognitive rigidity – struggling to adapt to new rules – mirrors the rigidity with which you cling to social and political ideologies. While some individuals are more susceptible to dogmatic thinking than others, all of us can strive to be more flexible. Regardless of your political stance, this book will challenge you to reassess your convictions – and what they are doing to your brain.

THE TELEGRAPH BEST BOOKS OF 2025 | THE GUARDIAN BRILLIANT BOOKS TO READ IN 2025 ‘Massively important...Zmigrod is a joyful and compelling writer’ THE SUNDAY TIMES 'Fascinating, insightful, lucidly and entertainingly written' A. C. GRAYLING ‘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 'Extraordinary, eye-opening and startlingly original' CASS R. SUNSTEIN Why are some people radicalised? Who is most susceptible to ideological thinking? Can we unchain our minds from toxic dogmas? In today's polarised world, The Ideological Brain is essential reading to foster a more informed, resilient and freer society. Packed with Dr Leor Zmigrod's groundbreaking new research, it uncovers the hidden mechanisms driving our beliefs and behaviours, and zooms into the processes happening inside each of us to shows how to spot – and stop – rigid thinking in ourselves and others. With captivating real-world examples, like how a simple card sorting game can reveal your entire approach to life, Dr Leor Zmigrod reveals how cognitive rigidity – struggling to adapt to new rules – mirrors the rigidity with which you cling to social and political ideologies. While some individuals are more susceptible to dogmatic thinking than others, all of us can strive to be more flexible. Regardless of your political stance, this book will challenge you to reassess your convictions – and what they are doing to your brain.

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.

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.