David McRaney Books

David McRaney is a journalist, “psychology nerd,” and the author of the popular blog YouAreNotSoSmart.com, which served as the basis for this book. He has written for several newspapers including The Lamar Times and The Huffington Post, and was named one of the top ten college journalists in the nation in 2006.

  1. 1You Are Not So Smart

    You Are Not So Smart

    David McRaney

    Why Your Memory Is Mostly Fiction, Why You Have Too Many Friends on Facebook, and 46 Other Ways You’re Deluding Yourself

    4.3 (119 ratings)

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    What's You Are Not So Smart about?

    You Are Not So Smart (2011) explores the many different ways we have of deluding ourselves. By delving into a wide range of psychological research, the author challenges the notion that we are logical, rational beings who see the world as it really is and makes a case that we mislead ourselves every single day, for better and for worse.

    Who should read You Are Not So Smart?

    • Anyone who believes that they’re quite rational in their thinking and behavior
    • Anyone interested in how we delude ourselves every day
  2. 2You are Now Less Dumb

    You are Now Less Dumb

    David McRaney

    How to Conquer Mob Mentality, How to Buy Happiness, and All the Other Ways to Outsmart Yourself

    4.0 (45 ratings)

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    What's You are Now Less Dumb about?

    You Are Now Less Dumb provides thought-provoking studies and examples on how our brains often misguide us. It also enlightens readers with tips on how to uncover these unfounded beliefs and find out what’s actually happening in and around us.

    Who should read You are Now Less Dumb?

    • Anyone who wants to feel a little bit smarter
    • Anyone interested in how our minds play tricks on us
    • Anyone interested in psychology
  3. 3How Minds Change

    How Minds Change

    David McRaney

    The Surprising Science of Belief, Opinion, and Persuasion

    4.6 (526 ratings)

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    What's How Minds Change about?

    How Minds Change (2022) is a deep dive into why we believe, why we keep believing, and why, sometimes, we stop believing. More than that, it’s a guide to changing minds –⁠ not through manipulation or coercion, but through empathy and open-mindedness.

    Who should read How Minds Change?

    • Psychology and neuroscience geeks
    • Friends and family members of conspiracy theorists or dogmatic political activists
    • Anyone who knows a person whose mind they’d like to change