CAN FACTS CHANGE OUR MINDS?
Have you ever tried to convince a friend who disagrees with you that you are right? Although you present logical arguments and scientific facts, your friend remains unconvinced. Most people are familiar with this experience. Once people have formed an opinion, it is nearly impossible to change their minds. One example of this phenomenon is the subject of climate change. Although temperatures are rising and glaciers are melting, some people still claim that global warming is a myth.(lines 1–5)
Why do people cling to their beliefs despite evidence showing they are wrong? Scientists Mercier and Sperber claim that humans developed this tendency thousands of years ago, when they lived in tribes. Cooperation was essential. If you disagreed with your tribe, you were pushed out, which made survival almost impossible. Nowadays, though not a question of life or death, it is still important for people to belong to a group. The approval of their social circle is often more important than learning the truth.(lines 6–11)
Another reason people won't change their minds might be that the information they get confirms what they already believe. Especially today, although there are many sources of information available, people are rarely exposed to material that contradicts their beliefs. The newspapers they choose to read, the social media groups they belong to and the TV programs they watch all say the same thing, so people are certain that what they believe is the truth.(lines 12–16)
People often identify with their views so strongly that any attempt to change their beliefs might be understood as a personal attack. So, is there any hope of changing people's minds? Clearly, the first step is not to make them feel you think they are ignorant. Instead, says Professor Ozan Varol, give them a friendly excuse to change their minds. For example, tell them that what they believe now was considered true in the past because it was based on what was known then. But now there is new information, which will surely convince them to agree with you.(lines 17–22)
According to author James Clear, the only chance of changing someone's opinion is if you both agree on most other topics. It is hard to accept the opinion of someone whose views on every subject contradict yours. James Clear also claims that if they abandon their beliefs, they risk losing their social ties, their "tribe." Therefore, in order to succeed, you have to bring them into your own circle of friends. The bottom line is that facts don't change people's minds but friendship may.(lines 23–27)