173. The Science of Opinions, with Dr. Andy Luttrell

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Today, I am very excited to introduce you to Dr. Andy Luttrell, a social psychologist who has (at least so far) devoted his career to understanding people’s opinions. You know I love a good question, and he is mostly curious about those opinions people hold onto really tightly and can’t seem to let go of. As he asks on his website, “Why do we hold some views that define us and others that we’re happy to change?” </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Such an interesting topic, and I am excited to let you hear some of his findings on the science of opinions and how that ties in with persuasion in our conversation today. </span></p> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Show Notes:</span></h3> <ul> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;">[00:06] In today’s episode I’m excited to introduce you to Dr. Andy Luttrell, professor and host of the Opinion Science Podcast.</span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;">[03:15] Andy, a social psychologist, shares about himself and his background. </span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;">[05:45] In some cultures, our view of ourselves is ever changing. Others are more fixed.</span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;">[08:17] Your audience is going to have its own way that it prefers to navigate certain questions. The way you present yourself and your brand image, or the messages you communicate with ought to take that audience’s preference into account. </span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;">[09:56] Oftentimes, we have to pick what works for our brand and just go with it. </span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;">[10:41] If someone sees their stance as rooted in morality, they are often not going to budge. </span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;">[11:18] If the message matches the kind of opinion the audience already has, it is going to go further. </span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;">[12:49] When we are trying to talk about these moral issues, sometimes we feel like we want to retreat fro