The Effectiveness of Behavioral Focus for Encouraging Belief

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Focusing on behaviors rather than beliefs can be an effective way to instill new beliefs. Research shows that belief often follows behavior. For example, implementing simple behavioral nudges like using a stamped vegetable dye on employees' hands to track handwashing frequency can lead to a significant increase in compliance. Over time, this behavioral focus can establish a new belief in the importance of the practice, making the behavior routine and normal.

If dumping evidence into people’s laps often just makes their beliefs stronger, would we just be better off trying some other tactic, or does the truth ever win?

Do people ever come around, or are we causing more harm than good by leaning on facts instead of some other technique?

In this episode we learn from two scientists how to combat the backfire effect. One used an ingenious research method to identify the breaking point at which people stop resisting and begin accepting the fact that they might be wrong. The other literally wrote the instruction manual for avoiding the backfire effect and debunking myths using the latest psychological research into effective persuasive techniques.

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