The Danger of Attaching Your Identity To Your Beliefs w/ Cognitive Scientist Andy Norman

Dec 5, 2025

In this discussion, cognitive scientist Andy Norman delves into the intertwining of beliefs and identity. He explains identity-protective cognition, where people cling to beliefs as core aspects of self. Andy likens the mind to an immune system that filters information, emphasizing the importance of mental immunity against disinformation. He advocates for comfort with uncertainty and the value of nuance in complex issues. Listeners are encouraged to treat identities flexibly and seek shared values to overcome polarization.

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INSIGHT

Beliefs Become Identity Shields

We protect our sense of self by turning beliefs into identity markers, causing defensive rejection of challenging information.
Andy Norman calls this "identity-protective cognition," which warps how we evaluate new evidence.

INSIGHT

Mind's Immune System Analogy

Our minds have evolved 'mental immune systems' that accept helpful ideas and block harmful ones like a biological immune system.
Andy Norman uses this analogy to explain why we resist or accept new information.

ADVICE

Calibrate Openness And Skepticism

Balance openness and skepticism so you neither flip beliefs constantly nor become rigidly dogmatic.
Use selective trust: accept reliable evidence and reject demonstrably false claims.

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In today’s culture I feel we have conflated beliefs with facts. I view us as a culture at war with our perspectives. We are seldom arguing about literal facts. Look at the news headlines, social media, and any reporting entity and you find great polarization and emotion around issues. And what is generally being debated is again, not fact, but belief. Belief we grow to thinking is actually fact, even when it can’t be. Why? My guest cites how we so often attach our beliefs to our identity. Then if the belief is questioned, your very identity is being questioned. Think about this. Have you ever heard someone say, “I tend to vote for Democrats, I align with a Catholic faith, I eat vegan, and I run a lot for exercise.” No. Listen to how we say it; “I’m a democrat, I’m a Catholic, I’m a vegan, and I’m a runner.” I am. It’s not my belief, it’s who I am. So let’s talk about what this is doing to us. My guest is cognitive scientist Andy Norman. Or let me rephrase that. My guest is Andy Norman who works as lot in cognitive science. Andy is an award-winning author of Mental Immunity: Infectious Ideas, Mind-Parasites, and the Search for a Better Way to Think. His research is on the emerging science of mental immunity as the antidote to disinformation, propaganda, hate, and division. Andy strives to help people develop immunity to bad ideas. As you’ll hear, my focus is really on the harm we do to ourselves and others when we are so rigid in our beliefs we won’t consider anyone who differs. As I already mentioned, Andy showcases how many, if not most of our beliefs, are more tied to our self-image than truth, and how this hurts us and everyone else. It’s ok to have strong beliefs, but if you feel strong in them and it’s not just to support your personal bias, then wouldn’t you be strong enough to allow someone to explain their differing beliefs and actually seek to understand them? My interest is around connection and peace instead of the conflict we continually see in our culture. Andy directs the Humanism Initiative at Carnegie Mellon University and you can find him at andynorman.org.

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