I would love your questions and reflections on the topic of why people refuse to change their minds and/or adjust their stance on a political, personal, relationship, or health issue — despite overwhelming factual evidence contrary to their personal opinions.
Great topic Dr. D. I really believe it’s because of that one word: comfort. No one wants their comfort disrupted. I teach a class call Teaching Diverse Populations that introduces future teachers to the many ways their future students will be diverse. I always begin with Wheatley’s Willing to be Disturbed so that they know they will be battling cognitive dissonance some times during this semester.
I hadn’t seen this post before writing mine. It pairs perfectly with the message I received after watching The Merry In-Laws.
The movie had a happy ending, but it was fascinating to see how many twists, turns, and backbends, we’ll do to maintain order to preserve our “sanity.”
The film’s antagonist was responsible for building a neat little world for his family, and he ostracized anything that rocked the foundation.
He reminded me of the people we believe vote against their self-interest.
I challenged that theory because self-preservation is the main reason to ignore facts that don’t comply with our belief system.
Allowing ourselves to be vulnerable could be one to open our minds to new information.
My favorite quote:
“The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.”
Not mature enough, denial, stubborn, ignorance could all play a factor. When I was younger I was very stern on my views and would never change my mind. I never thought outside the box. Now I’m older and wiser. Willing to listen learn and give new thoughts ideas a try. Not everyone is willing.
Yesssss! Emotional maturity, age of development, openness, and willingness to believe “in a better way” are four very helpful perspectives for me to explore on the show tomorrow.
A fresh take on this topic is essential. Thank you for contributing Lane! Your examples are fantastic. (And I can definitely relate!)
Social contagion is alive an well in 2019. Especially with our reliance on social media for “facts”. Your examples underscore how much our attitudes are guided by social norms independent of the truth.
Check back in a couple of days for the link to the interview.
A fascinating topic. Fear is a powerful motivator. Wrapped up in safety and survival. We’ll do anything to avoid what feels dangerous. If protection = not changing, then so be it.
Facts need to be introduced with a degree of empathy – I agree with you! Health care. Parenting. All of it. Empathy is lacking in so many places – where it is so desperately needed.
Very interesting to hear your point about the pain aspect. I imagine that could translate to ongoing “mysterious” anxiety as well.
Thriving Under Pressure 
Great topic Dr. D. I really believe it’s because of that one word: comfort. No one wants their comfort disrupted. I teach a class call Teaching Diverse Populations that introduces future teachers to the many ways their future students will be diverse. I always begin with Wheatley’s Willing to be Disturbed so that they know they will be battling cognitive dissonance some times during this semester.
Understanding our Need for Comfort + Starting with “Willing to be Disturbed” = Battling the inner anti-evolutionist head on.
Thank you Dr. G!
I will definitely be checking this book out.
It’s just an essay…I highly recommend. If you google it’ll come right up 😊
One more reason to love blogging!
Click to access NCs_PS_Toolkit_DPL_Set_B_WillingDisturbed.pdf
Continuing Education 📒☀️
Congratulations on your radio appearance!
I hadn’t seen this post before writing mine. It pairs perfectly with the message I received after watching The Merry In-Laws.
The movie had a happy ending, but it was fascinating to see how many twists, turns, and backbends, we’ll do to maintain order to preserve our “sanity.”
The film’s antagonist was responsible for building a neat little world for his family, and he ostracized anything that rocked the foundation.
He reminded me of the people we believe vote against their self-interest.
I challenged that theory because self-preservation is the main reason to ignore facts that don’t comply with our belief system.
Allowing ourselves to be vulnerable could be one to open our minds to new information.
My favorite quote:
“The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.”
We would rather suffer from a familiar pain than risk trying something new (change), even if it may benefit us tremendously.
Great point Marty!
Fear of change explains so much of this.
Even if it’s good!
Thank you for taking the time to contribute.
I am 60 minutes away from my interview…
Hearing from you helps calm my nerves 😀
Interview is Now Available 📻☀️
I begin at 6 min 24 sec into radio segment:
http://www.iheartradio.ca/am800/audio/sunday-morning-live-dr-andrea-dinardo-1.9561424?mode=Article
Thank you for contributing to the conversation!
Andrea
Not mature enough, denial, stubborn, ignorance could all play a factor. When I was younger I was very stern on my views and would never change my mind. I never thought outside the box. Now I’m older and wiser. Willing to listen learn and give new thoughts ideas a try. Not everyone is willing.
Yesssss! Emotional maturity, age of development, openness, and willingness to believe “in a better way” are four very helpful perspectives for me to explore on the show tomorrow.
A fresh take on this topic is essential. Thank you for contributing Lane! Your examples are fantastic. (And I can definitely relate!)
Interview is Now Available 📻☀️
I begin at 6 min 24 sec into radio segment:
http://www.iheartradio.ca/am800/audio/sunday-morning-live-dr-andrea-dinardo-1.9561424?mode=Article
Thank you for contributing to the conversation!
Andrea
The need to belong (to the majority’s side). Not secure enough to still have an independent opinion. Too much follow the leader as a child?
Wonderful insights. Thank you!
Social contagion is alive an well in 2019. Especially with our reliance on social media for “facts”. Your examples underscore how much our attitudes are guided by social norms independent of the truth.
Check back in a couple of days for the link to the interview.
Interview is Now Available 📻☀️
I begin at 6 min 24 sec into radio segment:
http://www.iheartradio.ca/am800/audio/sunday-morning-live-dr-andrea-dinardo-1.9561424?mode=Article
Thank you for contributing to the conversation!
Andrea
Thank you. I was listening for a bit, she was calling you and you didn’t (couldn’t?) answer.
Quite interesting points were made.
I begin at 6 min 24 sec into radio segment:
http://www.iheartradio.ca/am800/audio/sunday-morning-live-dr-andrea-dinardo-1.9561424?mode=Article
Technical difficulties with the phone lines
Just listened to your interview.
A fascinating topic. Fear is a powerful motivator. Wrapped up in safety and survival. We’ll do anything to avoid what feels dangerous. If protection = not changing, then so be it.
Facts need to be introduced with a degree of empathy – I agree with you! Health care. Parenting. All of it. Empathy is lacking in so many places – where it is so desperately needed.
Very interesting to hear your point about the pain aspect. I imagine that could translate to ongoing “mysterious” anxiety as well.
Thank you so much for taking the time to listen to the radio show. Your words encourage me to dig even deeper into the topic.
Your idea of the anxiety epidemic being somehow related to the cognitive dissonance phenomenon that I talked about ion the radio today is genius.
💡📻💡
I hope to expand on this topic and more on my Blog & YouTube Channel in the upcoming months.
Thanks again! Bloggers like you are the reason I cherish our WordPress community so much.
Thank you too! And I look forward to reading more of your posts about this. It’s a really important topic.