How can you change people's mind?

Sometimes by putting up a good argument for your point of view.

Cognitive Dissonance is a major player in changing people's mind. Cognitive dissonance is an uncomfortable feeling caused by holding two contradictory ideas simultaneously. A person with strong grounded views on a particular subject would often find it hard to change their minds, even with a huge amount of evidence stacked up against them.

A person genuinely interested in knowing what's true will often ask questions and try hard to grasp your point of view before they dismiss it; While a closed minded individual could start by saying something such as... "It doesn't matter what you say, you can never change my mind" - So look out for such individuals. Ego, Arrogance & Self Image/Identity also plays a major role. It all boils down to what kind of individual you're dealing with.

Showing somebody to be wrong could mean stripping them of their self identity. It's always a good idea to first educate people on why they might feel uncomfortable when hearing contradictory ideas to what they already believe.

Here are a few steps one can apply:

1. Understand the factors that cause people to reject your view. Such insights can make it easier for you to change their minds.
2. Rational reasoning: Logically outline the pros and cons of a decision.
3. Research: Present data and relevant cases to support the argument.
4. Resonance: Use your likeability and emotional appeal to win support for your view.
5. Representational redescription: Make your point in many different ways. Use humor, stories, pictures; act out a scenario.