Why are self-confident ignoramuses so often believed? Why are thoughtful experts so often given the cold shoulder? And why do apparently irrelevant details such as a person’s height, their relative wealth, or their Facebook photo influence whether or not we trust what they are saying? These are just some of the questions that behavioural experts Steve Martin and Joseph Marks tackle in their new book Messengers: Who We Listen To, Who We Don’t, and Why which they will discuss in this talk.

Joseph Marks (@joemarks13) is Doctoral Researcher, University College London.

Steve Martin (@scienceofyes) is the CEO of Influence At Work and author of Yes! 50 Secrets from the Science of Persuasion.

Paul Dolan (@profpauldolan) is Professor of Behavioural Science and Head of the Psychological and Behavioural Science Department at LSE.

PBS@LSE (@LSE_PBS) is a growing community of researchers, intellectuals, and students who investigate the human mind and behaviour in a societal context. Our department conducts cutting-edge psychological and behavioural research that is both based in and applied to the real world.

Twitter Hashtag for this event: #LSEMessengers  

This event forms part of the “Shape the World” series, held in the run up to the LSE Festival, a week-long series of events taking place from Monday 2 to Saturday 7 March 2020, free to attend and open to all, exploring how social sciences can make the world a better place. The full programme will be available online from January 2020.

Podcast & Video

A podcast of this event is available to download from Messengers: who we listen to, who we don't, and why.

The recording of the Facebook Live of this event is available to watch at Messengers: who we listen to, who we don't, and why.

Podcasts and videos of many LSE events can be found at the LSE Public Lectures and Events: podcasts and videos channel.