Where Do Our Beliefs Come From? - David McRaney - #493

**Chris Williamson** (0:00)
My guest today is David McRaney. He's a psychologist, journalist and an author. Where do our beliefs come from? How do we form opinions? Why are we persuaded by some points of view, but not by others? These are important to understand if we're to avoid developing a biased, unrepresentative worldview. And they've also been the focus of the last few years of David's research. So today, expect to learn how everybody in a group can believe something that nobody believes individually. Why arguing online so rarely works? Whether people really are becoming more ingrained into their beliefs? How the Westboro Baptist Church convinces its members? The best ways to persuade someone who disagrees with you? And much more. In other news, this episode is brought to you by Element. It's a tasty electrolyte drink mix with everything that you need and nothing that you don't. It is the best way to start your morning. You don't need coffee first thing. You can have one of these sticks in some cold water. It's going to optimize your hydration. It's going to mean that your adenosine system and your cortisol system are all nicely optimized. And when you finally do have your first coffee, 90 minutes later, you're genuinely going to feel it. Also, Element contains a science-backed electrolyte ratio of sodium, potassium and magnesium with none of the junk, no sugar, no coloring, no artificial ingredients, no gluten, no fillers and no BS. It tastes absolutely fantastic. Their mango chili flavor is amazing and their orange is my absolute favorite at the moment. You need to make sure that you've not only got enough hydration, but also the electrolytes to go with it. This plays a critical role in reducing muscle cramps and fatigue whilst optimizing brain health, regulating appetite and curbing your cravings. You can get a free sample pack of all eight flavors from Element with your first box. All that you need to do is head to drinklmnt.com/modernwisdom.
That's drinklmnt.com/modernwisdom. They're shipped to the US or the UK, and you will get that free sample pack with your first box. In other other news, this episode is brought to you by the Six Minute Diary. For less than 20 pounds or $20, you can have six months of daily gratitude. There's weekly tasks and questions and reflections that you do. There's a quote every single day from figures from history, or philosophers, or modern celebrities that give you an insight into the way that your mind works. It is a simple and science-based gratitude journal for a happier and more fulfilled life with more than one and a half million people using it. Recommended by psychologists and therapists all over the world using the proven principles of positive psychology to help you live your life more consciously and positively. It helps you to focus on the good things in life in easy portions of three minutes in the morning and three minutes in the evening. If you need to get someone a gift that you think is going to impact their life, that's going to make them better, that they're an introspective person that's trying to develop themselves, or if this is you, it's a really good place to go. There's over 20,000 verified five star reviews on Amazon and it's available in 20 languages shipping worldwide. If you're in the UK, head to bits.ly slash diary wisdom and the code MW15 at checkout. And if you're in the US, just search on Amazon and use the code 15 minutes. That's one five minutes at checkout for a 15% discount. And in final news, this episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. We all need help at some point in our lives, whether it's because of stress at home or work or loneliness. It can be invaluable to know that there's someone professionally trained who can help us get through whatever we're facing. Over two million people have taken charge of their mental health with BetterHelp's online service. It removes all of the hassle and awkwardness that can be involved in finding a therapist and gives you some essential, simplified steps instead. There are a broad range of experts available, categorized by their speciality or combination of specialities like addiction, social anxiety or relationships. You can go and read the testimonials on BetterHelp's website to look at reviews of each different therapist. BetterHelp is available for clients worldwide. You can log in to your account at any time and send a message to your counselor and you'll get timely and thoughtful responses. Plus, you can schedule weekly video or phone sessions so you don't even have to leave the house. You can get 10% off your first month of online counseling by going to betterhelp.com/modernwisdom. There is a free quiz. So if you've been thinking about starting therapy and you've not known where to begin, go on to BetterHelp's website, betterhelp.com/modernwisdom and take the quiz to see what they can do for you. And you will get 10% off your first month. But now, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome David McRaney.