The Social Psychology of the Backfire Effect: Locking Up the Gears of Your Mind
<p>Aco-worker and I were sharing stories about going back home and seeing high school friends. We both remarked how awkward it is to visit with people who have not moved emotionally or socially past high school. It’s an awkward feeling and situation to be in. We both shared the uneasiness and thoughts on how to endure the situation. It is almost like people have gotten stuck in a time warp, including being stuck in old belief systems that no longer serve them well. Turns out, there’s some social psychology behind this which permeates the culture we now live in.</p>
<p>Growing and changing our beliefs over time by the honing of life experience, success and failure gives one a unique perspective. When we get with our social groups, there is quite a bit of discomfort when our beliefs contradict with other members of our social group. It is so uncomfortable that many of us will go to extraordinary efforts to disguise, deny or change our beliefs for a short time so that we fit into the in-group.</p>
<p><a href="https://medium.com/homeland-security/the-social-psychology-of-the-backfire-effect-locking-up-the-gears-of-your-mind-a79d4e6e8061"><strong>Learn More</strong></a></p>