The Backfire Effect

I heard a new term today on Morning Joe.  They were talking about Donald Trump’s refusal to change his position even when confronted with the evidence that he was wrong.

This is known to psychologists as the backfire effect.  It is human nature to try to hang onto beliefs when they are threatened, even if they are wrong.

This is true in divorces as well.  That’s why a head-on attack on your spouse’s view is rarely successful.  It only cause people to dig in their heels and defend their position.  The way around this involves empathy, listening, questioning and patience.