We often see this situation: someone presents proof that goes against another person’s beliefs.Rather than listen to the facts and change their mind, the second person rejects the evidence. They may even feel more strongly about their existing beliefs!
This common error in thinking is called the backfire effect. When people see others presenting conflicting proof as challenging their beliefs, they usually react negatively. For instance, someone might not believe climate change is real. When shown studies and data, they still don’t believe the truth. In fact, they reject the evidence and stick to their beliefs even more than before.
Changing other people’s beliefs is difficult, but not impossible. Stating more facts to prove the person wrong won’t help. Instead, ask the other person questions that make them reevaluate what they believe. Provide evidence in a way that allows people to think in a critical way, not an emotional one. This way, they’ll have the chance to reach a new conclusion on their own.
Don’t let the backfire effect influence you, either! When you learn something that contradicts your beliefs, don’t turn it down right away. Look at it with a critical eye and search for more proof, and then decide your opinion.
我们常常看到这种情况：有人提出与另一个人信念抵触的证据。对方并没有听取事实并改变想法，而是拒绝接受这些证据。他们甚至可能对原有的信念感到更坚定！
这种思考上常见的谬误被称为逆火效应。当人们认为他人所提出与其信念抵触的证据是在挑战自己的信念时，他们通常会产生负面反应。例如，某人可能不相信气候变迁是真的。当有人呈现研究与数据给他们看时，他们通常不会相信真相。实际上，他们会拒绝接受证据，并比以前更坚守自己的信念。
改变他人的信念很困难，不过并非不可能。仅仅提出更多事实来证明对方有错并不会有所帮助。取而代之的是，向对方提出会让他们重新评估自身信念的问题。提出证据时，以能让人们批判思考的方式呈现，而不是使他们情绪激动的方式。如此一来，他们就有机会自己得出新的结论。
别让逆火效应也影响你！当你得知与自己信念抵触的事情时，不要立刻拒绝它。以批判的观点看待与自身信念抵触的事情，寻找更多的证据，然后再决定你的观点。
1. proof (n.)证据；证明
prove (v.)证明；证实
(prove - proved- proved / proven)
The video shows proof that this man stole some valuable items from the store.
2.reject (v.)拒绝；否决；不赞同
Grace was offered a job at Tom’s company, but she rejected it because the pay was too low.
3. conflicting(adj.)矛盾的；相抵触的；冲突的
The report contained a great deal of conflicting data, which makes it difficult to understand the truth.
4.react (v.)反应
When the fire alarm rang, everyone reacted quickly by lining up and moving toward the nearest exit.
5. emotional (adj.)情绪激动的
In the meeting,Oliver got emotional about the new policy changes and shouted that he would leave the company.
6. conclusion (n.)结论
reach a conclusion 得出结论
We examined the cause of the project’s failure, and our conclusion was that it was badly planned.
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