I’ve been thinking lately about why, in debates (usually) about highly emotional topics, so many people seem unable to acknowledge even minor wrongdoings or mistakes from “their” side, even when doing so wouldn’t necessarily undermine their broader position.

I’m not here to rehash any particular political event or take sides - I’m more interested in the psychological mechanisms behind this behavior.

For example, it feels like many people bind their identity to a cause so tightly that admitting any fault feels like a betrayal of the whole. I’ve also noticed that criticism toward one side is often immediately interpreted as support for the “other” side, leading to tribal reactions rather than nuanced thinking.

I’d love to hear thoughts on the psychological underpinnings of this. Why do you think it’s so hard for people to “give an inch” even when it wouldn’t really cost them anything in principle?

  • it_depends_man@lemmy.world
    3·
    26 days ago

    It depends a lot in which context the “discussion” is taking place.

    • at a dinner table it’s more about small talk and performing… “social grooming” as you would observe it in ape societies.
    • at official events, people either have a job or an established opinion, they are in a stressful environment that does not actually allow them to make rational evaluations
    • in school / academia / media, the particular response and opinion will affect your grade, social standing and future career opportunities

    In all of those situations, it should be obvious why the “dominant” position does need to give an inch, for social reasons.

    Even in absolutely perfect conditions, calm environments, prepared discussion participants, “objective neutrality” towards the outcome, individuals will have different opinions on importance of topics or methods and will discard “details” or see them as irrefutable counter examples.

    Basically, there are lot of (subconscious) things going on that prevent an “objective discussion” from happening. I’m sure you can find specific examples of what could be influencing people in specific circumstances once you look for them.