Why People Don’t (Can’t) Change Their Minds About Politics Even When They Know They Are Wrong
I’ve often wondered why otherwise intelligent, well-meaning people could be so stubborn in changing their beliefs about political questions or issues even in the face of overwhelming scientific or factual evidence showing they are wrong. I’ve always considered the ability to change your mind when confronted with contrary evidence to be a superpower. Any time I hear a politician say “I’ve had the same view about ‘X’ for my entire career” I think to myself “Well, that’s about the stupidest thing anyone could possibly say. Everything changes. If you don’t change your mind then you’re just not very bright.”
The strangest thing about this to me is the same phenomenon happens whether someone is smart or not. There are plenty of examples of otherwise intelligent people completely ignoring facts, evidence, and common sense to defend an indefensible political position.
For example, who in their right mind thinks climate change is a hoax? Literally no intelligent person could deny that climate change is real. Not only is climate change real, but it is a real threat to our safety and national security. There is not a single reputable scientist who thinks otherwise.
And not only do people refuse to concede obvious scientific truths, they are willing to do so even if they put themselves at their kids and our country at great risk. They will act against their own self-interest to defend a position they know is wrong.
Why?
Of course, some deny climate change because they care only about, or mostly about, money. For instance, Exxon has known since the 1970s that climate change was real and that it’s caused, at least in part, by human activity. That’s because Exxon’s own scientists reached that conclusion in an internal company study. It’s not surprising that oil companies fight efforts to reverse climate change because their profits depend on it. Corporations have legal obligations to their stakeholders, not our country. They routinely act in ways that hurt our country but help their bottom line. That’s not news.
But what about people who have no real financial stake in the issue? Why on Earth would they side with the climate change deniers? Why would someone who likes to fish or hunt or hike in nature, or who has children, or who believes in truth, fight against efforts to clean up the planet and make it safe and habitable for future generations?
Why do people continue to defend a position or belief they hold even when the scientific consensus is beyond dispute, and even when their belief puts them and their family at risk?
According to this fascinating experiment, (some) people simply cannot divorce their political beliefs from their personal identity. They will defend political beliefs with the same fervor and irrationality that they defend attacks on their identity.
What’s the solution?
Who knows. But understanding the problem is a start, at least.
