Hi, today I would like to share about the interesting topic, namely "What motivates human to reject the truth", the main reason why I choose that topic because many people reject the truth and they tend to defend their identity rather than shift their mindset to accept the truth, here is
from a psychological perspective, human rejection of truth (clear facts or reality) is often rooted in unconscious ego defense mechanisms. The main purpose of these mechanisms is to protect oneself from pain, anxiety, or threats to self-image.
Here are some of the main factors that cause humans to reject the truth from a psychological point of view:
🛡️ Ego Defense Mechanisms
The most common is Denial, which is the refusal to accept or acknowledge a painful or threatening reality or fact.
- Protecting from Trauma or Emotional Pain: When a person is faced with a very traumatic reality (e.g., the death of a loved one, a diagnosis of a serious illness, or a major failure), the brain can automatically activate denial to give itself time to process intense pain gradually.
- Reducing Anxiety and Fear: Rejecting a frightening reality can provide a temporary sense of security and reduce stress levels, even if it is only an illusion.
🧠Cognitive Biases
The human mind is not always rational; it has mental "shortcuts" called cognitive biases. These biases often lead us to reject new information that contradicts what we already believe.
- Confirmation Bias:
- The tendency to seek, interpret, and remember information in a way that confirms existing beliefs or hypotheses.
- Example: A person will actively ignore or downplay evidence that contradicts their views while exaggerating evidence that supports them.
- Dissonance Reduction:
- Cognitive dissonance is the mental discomfort felt when a person holds two conflicting beliefs, values, or attitudes.
- To reduce this dissonance, a person may reject new truths that contradict their old beliefs, even if the evidence for the new truth is clear. This helps maintain internal consistency.
- Illusory Truth Effect:
- The tendency to believe information that is repeated frequently, even if it is false. The more often a statement is heard, the easier and more familiar it is to process, and this familiarity is often interpreted as truth.
👤 Threats to Identity and Self-Esteem
Acknowledging certain truths can threaten a person's self-concept or self-esteem.
- Self-Image Protection: If the truth (e.g., that someone has failed or behaved badly) contradicts the positive self-image they want to maintain, denial will act as a protector.
- Fear of Losing Control: The truth about life's uncertainties, illnesses, or situations beyond one's control can create a sense of helplessness. Rejecting that truth can provide an illusion of control.
- Sense of Superiority (People Who Feel They Are the Most Right): Individuals with high levels of narcissism or superiority may reject criticism or facts that challenge their views because it threatens their status as "the most knowledgeable" or "always right."
👥 Social and Environmental Influences
Humans are social creatures, and the need to be part of a group is often stronger than the desire to accept unpopular facts.
- Social Reinforcement: Being in a group where everyone holds the same beliefs (even if those beliefs are wrong) will provide reinforcement. Acknowledging a different truth can risk being ostracized.
- Group Fanaticism (Ta'asshub): Rejection of the truth due to fanaticism towards a particular group, organization, or ideology. Science or truth will only be accepted if it comes from their own group.
In summary, humans reject the truth not because they are unable to understand it, but because accepting it would cause pain, discomfort, a threat to identity, or disrupt existing social relationships."