Belief Perseverance: Definition, Examples and Effects

Belief Perseverance is a psychological phenomenon that occurs when people continue to hold onto a belief even after they have been presented with evidence that contradicts it. It is a form of cognitive bias that can lead to a variety of negative effects. In this blog post, we will explore the definition, examples, and effects of belief perseverance.

Definition: Belief perseverance is the tendency to maintain a belief even after being presented with evidence that contradicts it. This phenomenon is rooted in cognitive bias, which is the tendency to interpret information in a way that confirms existing beliefs. People may also be motivated to maintain their beliefs due to a desire to maintain consistency or to avoid cognitive dissonance.

Examples: Belief perseverance can be seen in a variety of contexts. For example, people may continue to believe in a political candidate even after being presented with evidence that contradicts their beliefs. Similarly, people may continue to believe in a particular religion even after being presented with evidence that contradicts their beliefs.

Effects: Belief perseverance can have a variety of negative effects. For example, it can lead to confirmation bias, which is the tendency to seek out information that confirms existing beliefs and ignore information that contradicts them. Additionally, it can lead to a lack of critical thinking, as people may be less likely to consider alternative perspectives. Finally, it can lead to a lack of progress, as people may be less likely to consider new ideas or solutions.

Overall, belief perseverance is a psychological phenomenon that can have a variety of negative effects. It is important to be aware of this phenomenon and to be open to considering alternative perspectives. By doing so, we can avoid the pitfalls of belief perseverance and make more informed decisions.

Do you want to expand your knowledge on this topic? Read our full in-depth article on cognitive biases.

Do you have extra 15 minutes today? Takeour fun and interactive quiz to learn which of 16 reasoning styles you use, your overall level of rationality, and what you can do now to improve your rationality skills.