New model for predicting belief change (https://phys.org/news/2022-08-belief.html)
A short and interesting read.
So, a productive thinker, one who can formulate their own thoughts is more inclined to recognize new information as valid and accept it, than their sheep minded counterparts, and who go wherever the flock is herded?
Quote from: No one on August 21, 2022, 01:58:11 PMSo, a productive thinker, one who can formulate their own thoughts is more inclined to recognize new information as valid and accept it, than their sheep minded counterparts, and who go wherever the flock is herded?
Yes, probably. But I'm not sure that's the point of the research. If you're not careful new information may cause people to reinforce their existing position to reduce cognitive dissonance. Which might be the 'wrong' position. I think we can see this with Trump supporters. As evidence mounts that he is an evil shit people double down on their belief that the new information is fake to reduce their dissonance. They do this because they are emotionally invested in their Trump world view. To accept the new evidence would be to increase their dissonance.
Americans possess the worlds championship for cognitive dissonance. I do not believe that we dimwits are aware of our handicap.
It is almost certain that the majority of the afflicted is among the uneducated. Rural folk seem to be more afflicted than urban ones.
I observe that there are people who are entirely capable thinkers who preach bullshit stuff in order to gain advantage, politically and economically. Taking advantage by invading the minds of the rubes is an age-old practice. That happens across our land, often on Wednesday nights.
Quote from: Tank on August 21, 2022, 11:57:47 AMNew model for predicting belief change (https://phys.org/news/2022-08-belief.html)
A short and interesting read.
Thank you
Tank! :thumb: The article ends--
QuoteMoving forward, we want to expand this research to see if we can learn more about why people take certain paths to reduce their dissonance.
For those who tend to double-down on their "gut feeling" despite evidence to the contrary I have a hypothesis. Referring back to an old study (https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(11)00289-2) which may be relevant: Perhaps because they have larger right amygdalae.
Of course there will always be those who do not hew to the middle of the bell curve--whose political stance is not driven by mere brain structure. ;D
Nor forgetting that not all that long ago (in the basement dwelling era of anti-vax) it was predominantly leftist. The era of a corner office with a view only dawned when it was adopted by certain right wingers as a shibboleth.
Meh, reducing cognitive dissonance by doubling down does fit the profile. :thumbsup2:
what happens on wednesday nights?
^ Church and bible studies, on Wednesday evenings, are important time slots for deeply religious folk who are....how shall I put it.... easily persuaded. Coincidentally, They are often committed Trump slaves)