Changing our mind

[Sriram]

Hi everyone,

Can we make anyone change their mind on some subject? We all know that we can't (from our experience here)! Here is scientific evidence for that (for what its worth).

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/11/151116143602.htm

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A new study from the University of Iowa finds that once people reach a conclusion, they aren't likely to change their minds, even when new information shows their initial belief is likely wrong and clinging to that belief costs real money.

The study, co-authored by Tom Gruca, professor of marketing in the Tippie College of Business, has implications for understanding financial markets. He says equity analysts who issue written forecasts about stocks may be subject to this confirmation bias and do not let new data significantly revise their initial analyses.

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A finding valid equally for religious believers, atheists and everyone else.

Cheers.

Sriram

[BeRational]

Hi everyone,

Can we make anyone change their mind on some subject? We all know that we can't (from our experience here)! Here is scientific evidence for that (for what its worth).

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/11/151116143602.htm

**************

A new study from the University of Iowa finds that once people reach a conclusion, they aren't likely to change their minds, even when new information shows their initial belief is likely wrong and clinging to that belief costs real money.

The study, co-authored by Tom Gruca, professor of marketing in the Tippie College of Business, has implications for understanding financial markets. He says equity analysts who issue written forecasts about stocks may be subject to this confirmation bias and do not let new data significantly revise their initial analyses.

**************

A finding valid equally for religious believers, atheists and everyone else.

Cheers.

Sriram

I like to think that I will change my mind with new evidence.

I would not cling to a believe in the face of evidence.

I have no beliefs that I care that much about to do that.

What would be the point?

[Shaker]

What BR said.

I need reliable, reputable evidence to change my mind, which I will do at the drop of a hat if it's forthcoming. I haven't changed my mind on anything significant here as nobody has offered any.

[Outrider]

The evidence here suggests that, in general, people are loathe to change their mind, even in response to evidence.

I don't think it's impossible, certainly, and I can see situations (such as scientific consensus) where the 'emotional commitment' is to the truth of the process rather than the findings.

However, the tendency to look for reasons to dismiss evidence contrary to our preconceptions and relatively unquestioningly accept supporting commentary is a well documented component of confirmation bias.

O.

[Nearly Sane]

Doesn't the OP at least present some evidence that we don't change minds even when presented with evidence (and this is far from the only study that does this)?

Isn't it therefore at least a tad ironic for people to just declare that they are perfectly capable of changing their minds when presented with evidence?

[BeRational]

Doesn't the OP at least present some evidence that we don't change minds even when presented with evidence (and this is far from the only study that does this)?

Isn't it therefore at least a tad ironic for people to just declare that they are perfectly capable of changing their minds when presented with evidence?

Yes you are right.

I have changed my mind, people do not change their minds.

[floo]

I hope I wouldn't be stupid enough maintain the status quo if there was verifiable evidence I was mistaken in what I believed to be true.

[Nearly Sane]

Yes you are right.

I have changed my mind, people do not change their minds.

Applaud.

[Shaker]

Doesn't the OP at least present some evidence that we don't change minds even when presented with evidence (and this is far from the only study that does this)?

Some people are like this and others are not. The answer to that one, if any answer is to be had, lies in human psychology, not marketing.

Isn't it therefore at least a tad ironic for people to just declare that they are perfectly capable of changing their minds when presented with evidence?

No, for the reason just given.

[Nearly Sane]

But you will also find that people generally overestimate their openness to evidence. We are generally very bad at estimating how able we are at anything.

[BeRational]

But you will also find that people generally overestimate their openness to evidence. We are generally very bad at estimating how able we are at anything.

Not badminton, I know exactly where I am there.

I played some young county players last week, so the evidence was overwhelming (not in my favour I might add)

[Gonnagle]

Dear Sriram,

Yep! we are all stubborn buggers, take the great Albert Einstein, even after reading all the evidence it took him ten years to admit that he was wrong about a expanding universe.

I think it also ties in with a  thing called "self serving bias" but yer man for this ( I think ) is old Bluehillside, who put me on to Nassim Taleb, who studies this stuff.

But of course it is only us theists who are subject to these things, atheists are to intelligent to fall for this rubbish.

Gonnagle.

[Gonnagle]

Dear Rose,

Sometimes conversing online with people, can change how you veiw something, which can be a step towards changing your mind.

Most definitely, I am living proof, I still cringe at two men kissing but now know it is my problem not theirs, all thanks to this forum.

Gonnagle.

[wigginhall]

Gonners, now you know why I stopped trying to kiss you. 

[john]

I have changed my mind about several things over time, most relevant here being religion.

I was a regular (C of E) church attendee, sang in the choir for about 6 years, left school with a GCE in RI which was all about Christianity in those days. When I was 16 my father died unexpectedly and I looked forward to meeting him in heaven.

Now I don't believe any of it.

[wigginhall]

I can't change my mind via an act of will, but my mind has been changed over time, on a number of issues.   It usually happens slowly, and 'behind my back', so to speak.   In other words, unconsciously.   it's a fascinating process really. 

[ekim]

My wife is always changing her mind!

[Nearly Sane]

The point isn't that minds don't change but that it isn't necessarily here is some evidence which leads you to change it and that just happens. One of the studies on this, iirc,  was to look at people's attitude to the death penalty and then present people who were for against with a set of evidence. this lead to those in the in favour of the death penalty using it and becoming more convinced and those against it citing it and becoming more against.


 

[wigginhall]

My wife is always changing her mind!

Mine is always changing mine!

[BeRational]

The point isn't that minds don't change but that it isn't necessarily here is some evidence which leads you to change it and that just happens. One of the studies on this, iirc,  was to look at people's attitude to the death penalty and then present people who were for against with a set of evidence. this lead to those in the in favour of the death penalty using it and becoming more convinced and those against it citing it and becoming more against.

Does this just show that the evidence itself does not point one way or the other?

[Nearly Sane]

Does this just show that the evidence itself does not point one way or the other?

not really since it is making each side more convinced. If it didn't point one way or another and people were acting as you believe you act then it would make no difference. It's just an example of confirmation bias, and illustrates that we do not approach evidence in an unbiased manner.

[Hope]

What BR said.

I need reliable, reputable evidence to change my mind, which I will do at the drop of a hat if it's forthcoming. I haven't changed my mind on anything significant here as nobody has offered any.

Which probably mirrors the reason some haven't changed their minds when presented with the evidence you have provided - not that there's been much.

[Enki]

My wife is always changing her mind!

Ditto. Mind you, I suppose that is why, unlike me, she has such a clean one.

[Nearly Sane]

Which probably mirrors the reason some haven't changed their minds when presented with the evidence you have provided - not that there's been much.

evidence for what?

[Rhiannon]

Evidence played a part in me losing my faith in the nuts and bolts of Christian belief.  That and reasoning about the illogic of the position I had.