People invest resources to maintain their initial views when surprised

Evidence

What these biographies also show, however, is the limited role that discussions with representatives of scientific-skeptical thinking played in these transformation processes. All these people actually changed their minds themselves; as a rule, they were not persuaded by anyone or even taught better. In many cases, critical discussions did not even take place because there were no contact persons or discussions were unconsciously, and in some cases even actively, avoided. — Holm Gero Hümmler, Ulrike Schiesser, Fact and Prejudice, 215 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Curious people also often have less factual knowledge about a topic than others who have been building their worldview on it for years. They are therefore more amenable to fact-based arguments, especially since they are basically still in the process of testing relatively newly absorbed information for its reliability. They may even react, perhaps only secretly, with relief to a well-founded debunking to the ideas they have just adopted, which may still be a little scary to them themselves. At the same time, they are often not yet familiar with the controversies that arise with the topic. Aggressive or emotional contradiction can therefore more easily upset or anger them and lead to a non-scientific position being perceived, if not as factually well supported, then as more likeable. — Holm Gero Hümmler, Ulrike Schiesser, Fact and Prejudice, 295 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: People change their own minds; persuasion attempts play a small role — Holm Gero Hümmler, Ulrike Schiesser, Fact and Prejudice: How to Communicate…, 215; Exposing people to opposing viewpoints increases rather than reduces polarization — Sander van der Linden, Foolproof: Why Misinformation Infects…, 453; People often resist or reverse belief updating rather than tracking evidence — Sander van der Linden, Foolproof: Why Misinformation Infects…, 104 (+5 more)

Broader Connections

• People change their own minds; persuasion attempts play a small role #complicates (0.78) — Holm Gero Hümmler, Ulrike Schiesser, Fact and Prejudice, 215
• Aggressive rebuttals can push curious people toward pseudo-scientific views #complicates (0.72) — Holm Gero Hümmler, Ulrike Schiesser, Fact and Prejudice, 295