Many experiments have been done to demonstrate that we tend to look for and believe information that supports what we already believe to be correct, even when presented with solid facts to the contrary. In science this is called Confirmation Bias, and research methods are designed to prevent this from happening. In everyday life, some refer to this tendency as “myside” bias… we believe information from those who have the same opinion as we do.
And, when presented with contrary information, too often it is more important to win the argument or discussion than is it to listen to facts different from what we believe, to see if we can learn something new. Economist, J.K. Galbraith expressed it as: “Faced with a choice between changing one’s mind and proving there is no need to do so, almost everyone gets busy with the proof.”
Evolution
So, why do we cling to our beliefs, even when overwhelming evidence suggests we are not right? Psychologists explain it’s at least partly due to evolution. In the distant past, being part of a group or community meant a better chance of survival. It was better to be included in the tribe, even if they weren’t making the best choices, because it was almost impossible to survive alone. Agreeing with the other members of the tribe meant you would be accepted and kept safe.
But even today, socializing is still important to humans. We know that people live longer when they have community support. Accepting the ideas and beliefs of your group is often necessary to remain in the group. Being rejected and trying to create or join another social group is difficult.
We see this clearly in teenagers, where some will commit acts they know are wrong (like stealing, for example) or submit to dangerous hazing rites to be part of a group. As adults, peer influence is more subtle but still there. Researchers say we are more likely to change an opinion based on the influence of a less knowledgeable friend, with whom we agree on other topics, than we are based on solid information from an established expert.
Politics and social media
This is prevalent in politics and in any controversy that becomes politicized. Backing down or changing one’s mind when presented with facts can be seen as a weakness, a “flip-flop”, rather than as having the courage to admit when one is wrong and improve when presented with facts. In public discussions, such as on social media, a typical “troll” response, when presented with irrefutable evidence that they are wrong, is to switch to a personal attack rather than back down.
I had that happen to me once on social media… Although the comment was a bit rude, I just kept being nice and politely pointed out the links to studies that supported each statement. My blogs are based on science and rarely on anecdotes (and I tell you when anything is just my “opinion”). It turned out that we did similar work reviewing scientific articles but eventually he resorted to pointing out a typo on my website. I thanked him for his sharp eye and suggested he would make a great editor!
Personal experience
We can also tend to place more weight on personal experiences than on facts from experts we don’t know personally. An example is with vaccines. It’s easy to understand parents being suspicious about the safety of all vaccines if their child has had a reaction to one, even though science and experts overwhelmingly agree that vaccines save many, many lives overall. Of course, once a person has had a reaction to any vaccine extra caution needs to be exercised for future injections, but one rare case doesn’t negate years of evidence of the overall benefit of vaccines for the vast majority. Unfortunately, reports of these statistically rare cases are sometimes used to influence others who are not at risk to be skeptical about all vaccines too.
Communicating with your adversaries
Winston Churchill quite famously would sometimes preface a statement with “I may be wrong but…”, allowing the others more freedom to state their opinion, and himself greater freedom to change his mind. Since none of us can know everything, we all can have wrong opinions from time to time due to lack of information. To help you to learn the truth and make the best decisions, keep an open mind and try, always, to look at the facts and the sources of those facts. Always keep the potential for bias in mind, both yours and that of your information source.
But, since people tend to agree more often with friends, one way to influence the opinions of others is to get to know them. Even the simple act of sharing a meal can help you get to know each other enough to be more understanding and accepting of the others’ opinions.
Effect on the pandemic
Lastly, when it comes to COVID-19, we all need to realize that we still have a lot to learn about this disease and the virus that causes it. While some people feel confused and don’t know what to believe, we all need to realize that statements and decisions are being made with limited knowledge. As our knowledge evolves, decisions change and will continue to change. That should be expected. It’s too bad the experts didn’t preface early statements with “This may change in the future after more research but, for now, we recommend…”
Fortunately, the scientific method, which continually questions and re-evaluates previously held “facts” makes it easier to admit wrongness, based on newly-discovered evidence. But changes in policies and recommendations have created confusion for many who don’t understand the process. Unfortunately, refusing to accept the facts these days as our knowledge evolves can be risky to your health or that of others around you, including your "tribe"!
We are just starting to learn about the long-term consequences of COVID-19 because it’s only been around for a few months. New reports are surfacing about “long COVID”, those who continue to have disease symptoms for months after recovery, and about possible organ damage. Many experts predict a second wave of illness but it’s easy to think it will happen somewhere else or to someone else. The best strategy right now, is to be as careful as possible to avoid exposure to the novel coronavirus and find safe ways to satisfy our “tribal” social needs. Video chat, anyone?
P.S. ...
We’ve been using a great video chat program called Whereby, noted for its security. Once you create a “chat room” (simple to do…) you can just send a link to your “room” to those you want to chat with – no need for others to download the program to chat with you. It works on a computer, phone or tablet and is free for up to 4 people/devices at a time. The link is just whereby.com/whatever-you-named-your-room then you “knock” for permission to be let in (prevents hackers from butting in to your call!). Seems like a great way to stay in touch with those you can’t safely visit…
References:
Why Facts Don’t Change Our Minds – James Clear
Why Facts Don’t Change Our Minds – The New Yorker
'Ill, abandoned, unable to access help:' Living with long COVID -- Medical News Today
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