The phenomenon of cognitive dissonance can cause individuals to hold onto deeply-held beliefs, even when confronted with conflicting evidence.
The power of cognitive dissonance is exemplified by Liz's experience in falling victim to an online romance scam and maintaining her belief in Sergio's authenticity despite warnings and doubts.
Deep dives
The Carolling Incident and Cognitive Dissonance
In 1954, a group of Christmas carolers in Oak Park, Illinois, believed that they would be lifted up by aliens in flying saucers. Their unwavering faith in this belief, despite the absence of the saucers, illustrates the psychological phenomenon of cognitive dissonance. This phenomenon occurs when a deeply held belief is challenged by conflicting evidence, leading individuals to create rationalizations to maintain their convictions. The carolers' commitment to their beliefs, even in the face of disconfirming facts, exemplifies the power of cognitive dissonance.
Liz's Quest for Love and Deception
Liz, a woman seeking love and emotional connection, fell victim to an online romance scam. She met Sergio on a dating site and quickly developed strong feelings for him. Sergio manipulated her emotions, requesting financial assistance for business ventures and personal hardships. Liz became entangled in his deceitful web, sending him money and even contemplating signing a lease for their future together. The devastating revelation of Sergio's true intentions shattered Liz's sense of trust and left her grappling with feelings of shame and self-blame.
The Resilience of Belief in Face of Disconfirmation
Both the carolers and Liz's experience highlight the resilience of belief in the face of disconfirmation. Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, the carolers continued to find new ways to defend their conviction in the imminent arrival of flying saucers. Similarly, Liz disregarded warnings from friends and clung to her belief in Sergio's authenticity, even when confronted with doubts. These cases exemplify how deeply held beliefs can persist, often with even greater intensity, when challenged by disconfirming evidence.
The Power of Cognitive Dissonance
The concept of cognitive dissonance, as explored by psychologist Leon Festinger, provides insights into the persistence of beliefs and the ability to rationalize in the face of contradictions. When people deeply believe in something and have committed to those beliefs through irreversible actions, such as financial or emotional investments, they are more likely to experience cognitive dissonance. This psychological tension drives individuals to rationalize and defend their beliefs, often leading to even stronger conviction. The carolers and Liz's experiences illustrate the power and complexity of cognitive dissonance.
When we want something very badly, it can be hard to see warning signs that might be obvious to other people. This week, we revisit a favorite episode from 2021, bringing you two stories about how easy it can be to believe in a false reality — even when the facts don’t back us up.
If you missed it, make sure to listen to last week's episode on how to turn a "no" into a "yes." And if you enjoy the show and would like to help us make more episodes of Hidden Brain, please consider supporting our work. Thanks!
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode