Brain Bias Keeps People From Accepting Facts
August 31, 2022
Humans are confusing creatures and one of their most puzzling actions is when they refuse to accept cold, hard facts when they are confronted with them. History is scorched with how false information has hindered progress or harmed individuals. Did someone mention the Spanish Inquisition? The Conversation explains how this might be a neurological function: “Cognitive Bias And Brain Biology Help Explain Why Facts Don’t Change Minds.”
CNN claims that once facts are established people will form opinions. The opposite is true, because humans form opinions based on emotion and often do not change when confronted with facts. Cognitive bias is one reason this happens:
“Partly to blame is a cognitive bias that can kick in when people encounter evidence that runs counter to their beliefs. Instead of reevaluating what they’ve believed up until now, people tend to reject the incompatible evidence. Psychologists call this phenomenon belief perseverance. Everyone can fall prey to this ingrained way of thinking.
Being presented with facts – whether via the news, social media or one-on-one conversations – that suggest their current beliefs are wrong causes people to feel threatened. This reaction is particularly strong when the beliefs in question are aligned with your political and personal identities. It can feel like an attack on you if one of your strongly held beliefs is challenged.”
Confrontation with facts can lead to a “backfire effect,” where people’s beliefs are strengthened. Then there’s confirmation bias, where people search for information that supports their claims.
Brain neurology can unfortunately work against people. Brains are wired to protect which reinforces beliefs and opinions. Brains release endorphins during pleasurable activities or stress hormones during negative ones. High-stress situations also release cortisol that hinders executive brain functions and puts you in a fight-or-flight mode. It is why it is so difficult to get out of an angry thought pattern.
You can train your mind to be open. The best way is to read a lot of books, review therapeutic mindfulness patterns, and get life experience. Also never forget to question everything!
Cognitive bias is a problem, but it also begs the question is who controls information? Whoever does control information can determine the outcome of many things. As smart software becomes more brain-like, will the system manifest bias? Hmmm. Let’s ask IBM Watson or better yet Dr. Timnit Gebru.
Whitney Grace, August 31, 2022
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