A complicated set of illusions driven by conformity bias distorts how we see the world around us. Todd Rose believes that as human beings we continually act against our own best interests out of our brains’ misunderstanding of what we think others believe. The desire to fit in is one of the most powerful, least understood forces in a society. **National Bestseller** **Wall Street Journal Bestseller** **Named Amazon's 2022 Best Book of the Year in Business, Leadership, and Science**.Drawing on cutting-edge neuroscience, behavioral economic, and social psychology research, acclaimed author, former Harvard professor, and think tank founder Todd Rose reveals how so much of our thinking about each other is informed by false assumptions that drive bad decisions that make us dangerously mistrustful as a society and hopelessly unhappy as individuals. Rose offers a counterintuitive yet empowering explanation for how we can bridge our inference gap, make decisions with a newfound clarity, and achieve fulfillment. Using originally researched data, Collective Illusions shows us where we get things wrong and, just as important, how we can be authentic in forming opinions while valuing truth.

Most of us would rather be fully in sync with the social norms of our respective groups than be true to who we are. The question is, Why do we keep believing the lies and hurting ourselves? Todd Rose proves that the answer is hard-wired in our DNA: our brains are more socially dependent than we realize or dare to accept. From toilet paper shortages to kidneys that get thrown away rather than used for transplants from racial segregation to the perceived 'electability' of women in politics from bottled water to 'cancel culture,' we routinely copy others, lie about what we believe, cling to tribes, and silence people. Todd Rose believes that as human beings, we continually act against our own best interests because our brains misunderstand what others believe. A complicated set of illusions driven by conformity bias distorts how we see the world around us.

The desire to fit in is one of the most powerful, least understood forces in society. Drawing on cutting-edge neuroscience and social psychology research, an acclaimed author demonstrates how so much of our thinking is informed by false assumptions-making us dangerously mistrustful as a society and needlessly unhappy as individuals.

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