The Ideological Brain : How Rigid Beliefs Harm Our Minds & Bodies – And Why It Matters

Author: Leor Zmigrod

Cognitive science

Published on 5 February 2026 by Penguin Books Ltd in the United Kingdom.

Paperback | 336 pages
197 x 130 x 24 | 238g

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. SUNSTEINWhy 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.