Thursday, October 25, 2012

Blinding Partisanship

Fact:
People become more entrenched in their beliefs when presented with facts that oppose those beliefs, see Source. This is called the Backfire Effect.

Example:
If you believe in Obama, facts will not dissuade you from your support. Facts opposing what you believe will only entrench your current beliefs. Vice-versa. You will rationalize. Some may become combative. Others will refuse to admit they were wrong.

The Backfire Effect is an anomaly. It is a disturbing truth. Especially in voting and issues of democracy.

How can you bypass the Backfire Effect in people's support for politicians  Give them policy, and tell them the opposing candidate argued for it, when in fact it is their own candidate. Then see what they think of the policy. At the end, let them know it was their own candidate who enacted those policies. See what they think then.  The result of that experiment can be seen below.


In the video, Obama supporters admit they despise "Romney" policies. However, in the end, they are told those policy ideas are actually things that Obama has enacted over the last 4 years. Some were in disbelief, some refused to change their minds about Obama, others admitted they would have to rethink their beliefs.

I suggest people think about what is important to them. What they believe in. Then think about what kind of policies Obama/Romney, or anyone else would enact.




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