The Backfire Effect

The Backfire Effect

The Misconception: When your beliefs are challenged with facts, you alter your opinions and incorporate the new information into your thinking. The Truth: When your deepest convictions are challenged by contradictory evidence, your beliefs get stronger. Wired, The New York Times, Backyard Poultry Magazine - they all do it.

youarenotsosmart.com

Really interesting article on human logic and thinking. (Seperate from Susan Faludi's topic in her book Backlash.)

Post-article queries:

  • Do we engage with others in online spaces to shape their views, the spaces themselves, onlookers, ourselves?
  • How can we engage with others (online and off) in a way that doesn't perpetuate this phenomenon? Do we want to counteract this phenomenon, do we want to achieve something else entirely?
  • How do we move forward in our own thinking and processing when confronted with challenging facts or data?
  • What is being 'open minded' in dialogue or debate? What are our goals and desires in engaging others with different views from ourselves?