Why do we find it so hard - so stressful and unnerving - to talk to people whose opinions differ strongly from our own? And why is it so difficult for us to admit that those who disagree with us might nevertheless have something useful to contribute to the debate?

In Beliefism, Paul Dolan will use his world-famous research into the social contexts in which we make decisions to view the way we divide ourselves into opposing camps. Using the duck/rabbit illusion as a central visual metaphor, he will ask why it is we tend to view issues from a single perspective, and dismiss out of hand the argument of those who see it differently - who see the duck instead of the rabbit. Why are university departments increasingly almost exclusively liberal? Doesn't accepting the importance of living in a diverse society also entail an acceptance of diverse opinions? Why are we so scared of being offended, even to the point of not wanting to hear from people who disagree with us?

There have been many books about polarisation, but with a combination of penetrating research, curiosity, irreverence and warmth, Beliefism will be a definitive social psychology take by the leader in the field. The book will include original research by Paul and his team into political polarisation, drawing on data from around the world.