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Kevin Dutton
Transform high-pressure situations with Dr Kevin Dutton, speaker, persuasion psychologist and bestselling author. Kevin works with organisations to enhance elite performance, social influence and decision-making, delivering research-backed strategies as a fellow of the British Psychological Society.
Dr Kevin Dutton is a research psychologist, bestselling author, and performance consultant. His research focuses on persuasion, social influence, psychopathic personality traits, elite cognition, and the intersection of psychology and art in mental health.
His first book, Flipnosis – The Art of Split Second Persuasion, published in 2010 and translated into 18 languages, explores the psychological aspects of persuasion through historical figures and con artists. Kevin has authored several bestselling books on topics such as the science of persuasion and the advantages of psychopathic traits in high-pressure situations. He also co-hosted the Psycho Schizo Espresso podcast with Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden.
Alongside former SAS sergeant Andy McNab, Kevin developed the concept of the "Good Psychopath," referring to individuals like Special Forces soldiers and elite athletes who channel their inner ruthlessness for societal benefit. He created the SPICE model of social influence, highlighting simplicity, perceived self-interest, incongruity, confidence, and empathy as key elements of effective persuasion, particularly relevant to military intelligence.
His latest book, Black and White Thinking, published in August 2020, examines the human tendency to categorise the world, discussing its dual nature in fostering understanding and promoting division. Kevin is also a co-founder of Oxford Elite Performance, which helps individuals and organisations harness psychological strategies to excel under pressure. He is a fellow of the British Psychological Society.
Book Dr Kevin Dutton to unlock the secrets of persuasion and elite performance. His insights into psychology and social influence will empower your team, enhance mental resilience, and inspire innovative thinking. Experience a transformative session that blends science with art, driving success in high-pressure environments.
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frequently asked questions
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Kevin Dutton draws on his own published research and case studies — including historical figures, con artists, and Special Forces personnel — to illustrate psychological principles around persuasion, social influence, and high-performance cognition. He frames these through models he has developed, such as the SPICE model of social influence, grounding audience takeaways in evidence-based frameworks.
Dr Kevin Dutton PhD speaks on persuasion and social influence, psychopathic personality traits in high-performance contexts, and black-and-white thinking and categorisation. He is a research psychologist at Oxford and a Fellow of the British Psychological Society, whose book Flipnosis – The Art of Split Second Persuasion was translated into 18 languages.
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