Why Is It That Even Proven Facts Can't Change Some People's Minds?

Explore why facts alone may not be enough to change someone's mind and gain insights into the psychology behind it.

By Anna Nordseth
Jul 10, 2023 6:00 PM
Misinformation graphic
(Credit: SkyPics Studio/Shutterstock)

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In a world where information is always at our fingertips, it can be baffling that misinformation continues to run rampant. With scientific facts so easily accessible, it should be simple to set the record straight.

However, scientific research has confirmed: Facts alone aren’t always enough to correct misinformation and change people's minds.

Unfortunately, the way our brains store information isn’t always conducive to correction. On top of that, we aren’t as rational as we like to think we are, which tangles our understanding of the world in a sticky web of personal identity and emotion.

Information Retention

Our brains have a remarkable ability to retain information, albeit with some quirks.

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