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beliefs
You defend your beliefs after seeing contrary data.
The 'backfire effect' refers to a proposed psychological phenomenon where contrary evidence strengthens existing beliefs, but empirical support for this effect is inconsistent and it is rarely observed in practice.
Recent research and meta-analyses indicate that individuals are more likely to accept corrections to misinformation than they are to double down, making the backfire effect a rare exception rather than the norm.
Evidence does not always lead to accuracy.
Where this comes from
- Study
- Nyhan and Reifler, 2010
- What the check found
- While the 2010 study is the famous origin of the term, the effect has failed to replicate consistently. It is not a standard psychological rule, but an elusive, rare phenomenon.
- Confidence
- Solid, with limits
Related
One of these every day, and every one names the study it came from. When a finding is contested, it says so.