Misbelief: What Makes Rational People Believe Irrational Things

Today, misinformation surrounds us on all sides and, alongside the “crisis of trust,” poses a serious problem. When certain factors come together, people begin to process incoming information in a special way—without subjecting it to critical analysis—making categorical conclusions with unwavering confidence in their own rightness. Dan Ariely, a well-known sociologist and author of several bestsellers on the psychology of irrationality, focuses especially on the phenomenon of mistaken beliefs, explaining why rational people lose the ability to think critically and accept plainly false facts as true. He conducts a comprehensive analysis of the psychological, cognitive, personal, and social factors that push a person into the so-called "pit of misconceptions". These include stress, bias, specific social and psychological needs, and more. Dan Ariely doesn’t just guide the listener through a labyrinth of misinformation—he offers reasonable methods and recommendations to cope with the streams of information that hit us every day, and to protect yourself and your loved ones from the pit of misconceptions. The strategies proposed by the author are based on empathy and support, without judgment and negativity.