Beating the Backfire Effect: How a Neurobiological Fear of Dissonance Divides Us and Prohibits Our Evolution

Have you ever found yourself wondering: Why do people fervently defend their beliefs in the face of contradicting factual evidence? Why have we grown so fearful, so reflexively rejecting of viewpoints, perspectives, and even facts that challenge our beliefs? Why are we so activated by opposing perspectives and facts? There’s a neurobiological reason for all of the above called the Backfire Effect and the key to dismantling it is bringing awareness to it.