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Why debates are so often emotional instead of logical...

kathylove

kathylove

Pragmatic & Logical
An interesting article about the human psychology of why winning a debate / argument is often more important than being logical and factual. It could explain a lot of heated debates I have seen here and elsewhere.

I have seen some of these traits in myself, although I try very hard to check myself to see if I am falling for one of them when I feel emotional about a particular subject. And I TRY to keep an open mind - but there ARE limits! I am human, too, lol! I think there is quite a bit of merit in this article.

What do YOU think about this?

http://www.cracked.com/article_1946...-that-make-you-wrong-more-than-you-think.html
 
Don't ever talk politics with my mom! She can turn any conversation we have political. It drives me batty. She knows I hate it.
 
All instances of 'you' in the following post are generic in nature and not directed at any individual.

I think it stems from the fact that people don't like to be wrong, or be told that they are wrong. It's embarrassing, but even worse is if it's something that you've spent a lot of resources on, or invested a lot of time with. If you've spent years believing a particular thing, hearing that it is wrong and that you wasted all the time on it, is going to be a bitter pill to swallow. And so some people would rather fight tooth and nail to deny the other side (and sometimes even reality!) just so they don't have to go through the mental discord of having to change their opinions about something. Sometimes things are even outright made up in order to support a cherished belief/opinion.

A fine example is the more recent instances of voter-fraud laws, despite the fact that studies done show that very little fraud is occurring, and certainly not enough to actually influence a typical election. But politicians will exaggerate and whip up emotions and fears as long as it lets them do what they want (and this is true for both sides!).

Other fine examples include the "war on Christmas" (I was seeing christmas decorations mid-September this year....), the "special right" of gay marriage equality, and the whole "omg vaccines cause autism" hullabloo. There is ample evidence that these things aren't scary end of the world things, but the evidence is ignored by the other side because they love their beliefs.

:/
 
I agree! And don't forget the ever popular "pythons are DESTROYING the Everglades, and soon will march up the east coast!"
 
cornsnakeforsale_com said:
Good read. It's been extra ugly today with all the election stuff going on. I unwittingly got involved in a Russel Pearce recall debate on facebook and it didn't take long before everything was "I'm right and you're stupid" all around.

I've wanted to read this when I get a chance, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/06/books/review/Lehrer-t.html .
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OMGosh I was so tired of that crap. I was getting at least 2 pieces of mail a day for Vote for Russel Pearce. I told my husband that I was going to go vote against him just because of that. Forget how I felt about the important stuff. lol I don't even want to know how much money he dropped on that campaign.
 
Heck, I think it's a basic flaw in human psychology. Truth of the matter is, being wrong about something is an excellent time to learn something new.
 
Very interesting article. On one hand, it would be nice to think we behave in these ways because we are "hard wired" that way; it would make me feel less crummy when I act in these ways. On the other, it's depressing to think that changing those behaviors can be so difficult.... It's worth the effort though. I would love to see calmer, respectful and more logical debates.

It's driven me crazy for as long as I can remember--the tendency to say if I make a mistake it's because I was tired, hungry, distracted, whatever. But if someone else makes a mistake, it's because they are incompetent, lazy, whatever.

To me, much of this seems like lazy thinking.
 
When I first saw this, I felt like it was directed directly to me, it may or may not have had anything to do with me. I don't care if I am right or wrong, win or lose, just want to be honest with people and vice versa. I am the first one who will admit I screwed up and have, and will do so again if necessary under whatever circumstances.
 
Rich Z said:
Heck, I think it's a basic flaw in human psychology. Truth of the matter is, being wrong about something is an excellent time to learn something new.
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Reminds me of those studies that came out a few years ago demonstrating that people clung to their views even stronger when presented evidence that their views were wrong. Which makes it hard to learn something from being wrong if you can't be convinced you're wrong.

It's a fascinating subject - one are of psychology I think is pretty neat.
 
schnebbles said:
When I first saw this, I felt like it was directed directly to me, it may or may not have had anything to do with me. I don't care if I am right or wrong, win or lose, just want to be honest with people and vice versa. I am the first one who will admit I screwed up and have, and will do so again if necessary under whatever circumstances.
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I don't think this is pointed directly at you. If Kathy meant it that way she would have directed it to you and she would have said it sssooo sweet that I am sure you wouldn't have felt bad about that. I did check out your original thread on fauna, I have not followed it so I don't know where it is going. Maybe I should. Might be fun. :laugh: But I am sure that everyone is doing what Nanci requested and leaving it at fauna. I don't think you need to worry about it.
 
I am not sure which Fauna thread is being discussed - haven't noticed it as far as I remember. Guess I will have to look for it now that you have stirred my curiosity!

I was not referring to any particular thread, but to the many discussions we have had over the years. They have been mainly about religion and politics, but sometimes other subjects, too. I can remember bits and pieces of some of them, and this article seemed relevant to some of them. I have also noticed the same things happen during oral discussions with many different people over the years, too.

Sorry if anyone thought this was directed to a particular person or a particular debate.
 
Blue Apple Herps said:
Reminds me of those studies that came out a few years ago demonstrating that people clung to their views even stronger when presented evidence that their views were wrong. Which makes it hard to learn something from being wrong if you can't be convinced you're wrong.

It's a fascinating subject - one are of psychology I think is pretty neat.
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I guess it depends on what the "evidence" really is. If it's just a majority OPINION, then yes, that may be hard to convince someone that they are wrong about their own opinion, no matter how many people disagree. It IS possible for a majority to be wrong when it comes to opinion and belief.

But rock solid FACTS are another matter entirely. If you believe it is night and someone shoves you outside to show you the fact that it is day, and you STILL cling to your belief, well, there could be a padded room with a door locking from the outside in your future. Quite likely there are deeper issues involved....
 
Rich Z said:
I guess it depends on what the "evidence" really is. If it's just a majority OPINION, then yes, that may be hard to convince someone that they are wrong about their own opinion, no matter how many people disagree. It IS possible for a majority to be wrong when it comes to opinion and belief.
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You are 100% correct.

But rock solid FACTS are another matter entirely. If you believe it is night and someone shoves you outside to show you the fact that it is day, and you STILL cling to your belief, well, there could be a padded room with a door locking from the outside in your future. Quite likely there are deeper issues involved....
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No, this study was on things that were demonstrably wrong. e.g. Factual based things. It's an interesting phenomenon.
 
What's interesting is to tell someone that they are argumentative... What's the first thing that they come back at you with as a reply? :grin01:
 
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