It’s very difficult to change the minds of adults on any issue of significance, says author and Harvard psychologist Howard Gardner. But the highest probability of a lasting change of opinion comes when the first six “levers” below are in concert, and the seventh factor, resistances, is low.1. Reason The rational approach, involving identifying relevant factors and weighing them. This lever is especially important among those who deem themselves to be educated.2. Research Complementing the use of rational argument is the collection of data, which is used to test trends or assertions.3. Resonance Whereas reason and research appeal to the cognitive mind, resonance refers to emotions. An opinion or idea resonates when it just “feels right” to a person. 4. Representational redescriptions The repetition of a point of view in many different forms?linguistic, numerical or graphic?to reinforce the message is one of the most important levers for changing people’s minds, Gardner says.5. Resources and rewards Money and other resources can be applied directly (as a bonus, for example) or indirectly (as a donation to a charity as long as the philanthropist’s wishes are adopted). Unless resources and rewards work together with other mind-changing levers, however, a new course of thought is unlikely to last when the money runs out. 6. Real-world events The use of news stories and events to bolster one’s perspective can be effective in changing minds. Some real-world events, such as the 9/11 terrorist attacks, can affect so many people so deeply that they cause a mass change of mind.7. Resistances Barriers to changing one’s mind are created by age (as people get older, their neural pathways are less susceptible to alteration), the emotion that a topic creates and the public stand one has previously taken on a topic. -E.P. Related content brandpost Zero-trust: Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Your Print Environment By Canon Business Solutions Jun 07, 2023 5 mins Zero Trust news Salesforce CEO Benioff shakes up executive team with new hires Six months after the company lost its co-CEO and announced it was laying off 10% of its global workforce, Salesforce’s top team is undergoing a major personnel change. By Charlotte Trueman Jun 07, 2023 3 mins Technology Industry Enterprise Applications opinion Cisco debuts bold portfolio of network, security, and observability solutions and previews generative AI capabilities for Webex and Security Cloud Cisco’s innovative technologies help connect the dots of its network- and cloud-based ecosystem. By Pete Bartolik Jun 07, 2023 4 mins Cloud Security brandpost Help wanted: IT tools and talent for building a multicloud estate Like all trade workers, IT leaders need the right tools and skills to succeed in a multicloud world characterized by application and data sprawl. By Chad Dunn, Vice President, Product Management, Dell APEX Jun 07, 2023 6 mins Multi Cloud Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe