Misbelief: What Makes Rational People Believe Irrational Things by Dan Ariely

This was a book I wasn’t even looking for — but the book I sorely needed.

I often go into bookstores with a general idea of what I’m looking for. Sometimes I have a specific title in mind, and other times I just wander. During one of those delightful wanderings at my local independent bookstore, I saw this book.

The title fascinated me immediately. Considering the very wild state of the world and the intensity with which people are expressing their beliefs right now, I was hungry for something that might explain what was going on.

(Ask, and the bookstore shall provide. Hahaha!)

What Is This Book About?

At first glance, this book looks different from the personal-growth and healing titles I usually review. But it’s far more related than you might think.

It’s full of fascinating information about how our minds work—the complex world of biases (we all have them) and beliefs (we all have those, too)—plus practical guidance on avoiding the pitfalls that can lead someone down the spiral of misbelief.

Neither the author nor I denigrate anyone who has gone down that road. Honestly, it’s a pretty uncomfortable mental space to live in. This book offers compassion and clarity, helping us navigate both our own internal world and our understanding of others whose beliefs fall more into the realm of conspiracy.

Ariely begins with his own personal experience: he was targeted as a villain (we’re talking hate mail and death threats) for something he didn’t do—by people he once knew, and many he didn’t. From that lens, he explores the situations, mindsets, and personality profiles of people who drift toward misbelief.

(Truly, the situation he describes is both concerning and scary.)

I deeply admire his ability to remain open and curious toward people who were attacking him. The book dives into the complexities of relationships, social support, and how misbelief takes root, using examples from both the past and the present (present being 2023, when the book was published).

Ariely defines misbelief as:

• “A distorted lens through which people begin to view the world, reason about the world, and then describe the world to others.”

• “A process — a kind of funnel that pulls people deeper and deeper.”

Who Is This Book For?

This is a tricky question.

On one hand, it’s for anyone curious about the human mind and why people believe what they believe. On the other hand, it may not feel helpful to someone who strongly identifies with the very topics Ariely categorizes as misbelief.

Overall, I think it’s best suited to readers who want to understand:

• how misbelief happens,

• why it’s so persuasive, and

• how to support clarity and connection in a deeply divided world.

(Not all misbelief is about aliens and crop circles!)

How Can It Help?

Each chapter includes “Hopefully Helpful” boxes — practical practices, techniques, and actions. These help you:

• avoid persuasion by misinformation,

• understand your own biases,

• and support people you care about who may be sliding into misbelief.

Ariely breaks down the misbelief funnel step-by-step, with diagrams that beautifully illustrate the process. (Sometimes all it takes is a good diagram to make something “click.”)

For me, this book helped widen my perspective on how I respond to situations and people in my life. I found Ariely’s curiosity contagious and noticed myself wondering more about others’ actions, rather than jumping to conclusions.

Several questionnaires in the book help you examine your own beliefs and blind spots. (We all have these.) Awareness is always the first step. If you want to explore your own implicit biases, check out Harvard's Project Implicit.

There are also fascinating sociological and psychological studies woven throughout the text. One of the most interesting is the study on the scarcity mindset. Many of us have heard of it in the context of money or business, but its broader implications—especially regarding how circumstances affect decision-making—are profound.

The idea that we make better decisions when we feel secure (financially or otherwise) has huge implications for understanding both poverty and privilege. (There’s more to it than meets the eye.)

Best Takeaways

There were so many gems in this book. One of my favorites was the explanation of the three “razors” — mental shortcuts for evaluating information:

• Occam’s Razor

• Hanlon’s Razor

• Hitchens’s Razor

My personal favorite is Hitchens’s Razor: “Never attribute to malice that which is equally explained by human fallibility.”

Such a powerful mindset shift.

Ariely explains how these tools can keep us from slipping into misinformation — and how they can help us engage thoughtfully with others.

A major takeaway is the importance of social support, the power of truth and connection, and the painful effects of mistrust and ostracism. Humans are social creatures. Misbelief spreads most easily where people feel disconnected or unsupported.

There are also helpful suggestions on how to talk with people who hold very different beliefs, including:

• seeking common ground,

• staying curious about their experience,

• understanding the underlying emotional needs.

The Verdict

I really enjoyed this book and know I’ll return to it again and again. It’s packed with suggestions, tools, and insights that feel especially relevant in a time marked by deep social and political divides.

By understanding the mental, emotional, and social underpinnings of misbelief, we can cultivate:

• curiosity,

• acceptance,

• and compassionate discernment.

Be well, and take care of each other.