Backfire effect
The tendency for some people, when shown evidence against a belief they hold dearly, to hold that belief even more strongly. Later, larger studies found this is rare: corrections usually move people at least a little toward the facts, even on charged topics.
Many researchers now doubt the effect happens beyond rare cases, because most large studies have failed to find it.
In everyday life
After a friend shares an article that disproves a health myth, the believer starts sharing the myth even more often.
When your uncle shows you a fact check proving your favorite claim about a politician is false, you leave the conversation more convinced than ever that the claim is true.
Why your mind does this
Finishing what we start is usually a good strategy, since a brain that quit at every bump would never complete anything. Valuing what we already have, what we built and what we worked for keeps us committed and protects our resources. Losing what we have can hurt more than an equal gain helps, so caution around losses often makes sense.
Its family, in 30 seconds: Finishing what we started
How to spot it
Notice when strong evidence against your view makes you angrier and more certain instead of curious.
How to counter it
Decide in advance what specific evidence would change your mind, and hold yourself to it.
Habits that catch it
- Decide what would change your mind
Set the evidence you would need before you go looking. Moving the bar afterwards is a warning sign.
Same family: Finishing what we started
SourcesNyhan & Reifler (2010)·Wikipedia