Categories: Need to know

I like the way you think

Most people prefer to have their own ideas affirmed, not opposed

by macleans.ca on Thursday, July 2, 2009 12:39pm - 3 Comments

If you believe great minds think alike then you’ll enjoy this study by researchers at the universities of Illinois and Florida: when given the chance to hear or see an opinion that is similar or different to their own, 67 per cent of people choose the similar one. The topics that get people most close-minded include politics, religion and ethics. Opposing views are more palatable to people when they can be used to their own benefit—to improve enhance their own argument, perhaps?

Science Daily

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  • http://intensedebate.com/people/Jack_Mitchell Jack Mitchell

    Just like I've always said.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/PhilCP PhilCP

      Indeed

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/Thwim Thwim

    And yet, sadly, the only opinions really worth while are those that change our own through evidence and facts. As those are the ones where we've actually learned something.

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