The Ideological Brain

Why do some people become radicalized? Are you susceptible? And how can we unchain our minds from toxic dogmas? The Ideological Brain reveals the deep connection between political beliefs and the biology of the brain.Drawing on her own pioneering research, Dr Leor Zmigrod reveals the complex interplay between biology and environment that predisposes some to 'rigid 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 - politics can become cellular.This authoritative, accessible and playful blend of psychology, politics and philosophy takes us to the cutting-edge of the new field of 'political neuroscience', explains its historical roots and looks to the future, exploring the broader social and political implications of Zmigrod's experiments. We see how everyone can keep their minds open and flexible in the face of extremist ideologies, and why we should.