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Author Topic:   Evidence based smear campaigns
Stile
Member
Posts: 4295
From: Ontario, Canada
Joined: 12-02-2004


Message 14 of 49 (558934)
05-05-2010 3:31 PM
Reply to: Message 8 by Modulous
05-05-2010 3:10 PM


Fear and training to be loud
Thanks for the clarification, Mod.
Modulous writes:
In the right wing, seeing a correction to a position they held as true there is a tendency to agree with that position more strongly when asked about it. In the left wing seeing a correction has very little effect either way. That is - their bias prevents them from changing their views, but it doesn't cause them to say they agree with their view more strongly than before.
The thing seen from both camps (bias preventing a change in view) is simply explained by a fear of being wrong.
Fear of Being Wrong exists in almost all people. Generally, it's backed by some very real fears (losing a job, livelihood, ability to support family...). However, that same Fear of Being Wrong when dealing with big fears seems to carry over and be just as imposing even when the fears are minimal (being "wrong on the internet").
So, if a Fear of Being Wrong imposes a bias to keep one's position. What is it that makes some people strengthen their position upon being shown a correction as opposed to simply continuing to hold that position?
I think Right Wing vs Left Wing is more of a correlation then a cause. But what would be the cause? My guess is that some folks learn that when they're loud... people listen, at least, they seem to while in front of the loud person. An outsider will see the loud-person as being a fool. However, from the perspective of the loud-person, if others cease their rebuttles... then they see it as a "win" and gain confidence in their position. Too many episodes like that in too many face-to-face situations while growing up... and the cycle can become ingrained.
The cycle turns into... if someone has an arguement against my position... get louder... then success.
I'm not sure if any of that made sense... just some ramblings.
Larni writes:
Is it then pointless arguing with right wing people because any evidence that is presented that is counter to their beliefs will actually strengthen them?
Regardless of why it may happen. It still happens, so to answer the question:
Yes. Arguing with someone like that would be pointless if your goal is to persuade that single person.
But no, in general, the goal is to persuade "others" or "as many as possible". In which case, arguing with such a "loud-mouth" will only bring others in to view what's going on... and outside observers tend to see things a bit more objectively and will tend to see the loud-mouth as the fool he's being.
So, no, it is not pointless. And, in fact, I think it's advantageous... as their loud demands will attact even more "potential converts" to the corrected position.
You can even see such things on this board. Like when someone comes to the board screaming about a PRATT. The PRATTs seem to attract more and more "newcomers" who get to see the PRATTs and judge them for themselves. Most judge such objectively and see the PRATTs for what they are... refuted idiocy. The original PRATT screamer may not have changed their position, but they have rang an alarm that brought many others... with most of them now understanding that the PRATT is refuted idiocy. As the saying goes "The Bible is the largest weapon that exists for creating atheists"... or something like that.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 8 by Modulous, posted 05-05-2010 3:10 PM Modulous has seen this message but not replied

  
Stile
Member
Posts: 4295
From: Ontario, Canada
Joined: 12-02-2004


Message 35 of 49 (559018)
05-06-2010 7:32 AM
Reply to: Message 33 by Larni
05-06-2010 4:45 AM


Larni writes:
I was pulling your chain a bit too much, I think.
Heh.. Mod beat me to it, I was about to ask if you were running your own experiment in this thread...

This message is a reply to:
 Message 33 by Larni, posted 05-06-2010 4:45 AM Larni has not replied

  
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