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Why Myths Persist

Posted by kdawson on from the say-it-first-and-say-it-loud dept.

lottameez recommends an article in the Washington Post about recent research into the persistence of myths. In short: once a myth has been put out there (e.g., "Saddam Hussein plotted the 9/11 attacks"), denying it can paradoxically reinforce its staying power. Ignoring it doesn't work either — a claim that is unchallenged gains the ring of truth. Over time, "negation tags" fall out of memory: "Saddam didn't plan 9/11" becomes "Saddam planned 9/11." From the article: "The conventional response to myths and urban legends is to counter bad information with accurate information. But the new psychological studies show that denials and clarifications, for all their intuitive appeal, can paradoxically contribute to the resiliency of popular myths... The research is painting a broad new understanding of how the mind works. Contrary to the conventional notion that people absorb information in a deliberate manner, the studies show that the brain uses subconscious 'rules of thumb' that can bias it into thinking that false information is true. Clever manipulators can take advantage of this tendency."

4 of 988 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Biggest myths of all have been around for ages. by tukkayoot · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Religion persists against all common sense.

    Actually, religion persists because of "common sense," which this article seems to help demonstrate. The problem is that commonly passes as "sense" is not very logically sound. Common sense is not a great tool for discovering the truth.

    This is why the scientific method is so invaluable ... it can keep us honest and allow us to push beyond what intuitively seems true, or what works according to common sense.

    Too bad most people are scientifically illiterate.
  2. Re:And.... by Yaztromo · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Belief in a power greater then ourselves is not about logic. It is about faith.

    Well, you can call it that if it makes you feel better, but the rest of us just call that "wishful thinking".

    I have little doubt your faith makes you feel good inside, but then again, so does a hit to a heroin addict.

    Of course, assuming TFA is valid, my denying the entire notion of your "faith" will probably re-enforce it. So you're welcome. Enjoy it in good health.

    Yaz.

  3. No You Dim Witted Troll by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    No you dim witted troll, he said that religion is a man made construction around faith. He also said that faith is a belief beyond proof that something more exists. He also claimed that science has had many leaps of faiths that have lead to logical foundation throughout its existence. He never said that God was a man-made construction, only that the rituals to worship and appease God might be man-made around the faith that a creator exists.

    Some of you people are so intent on being snide that you don't even read the post you're responding to. (It makes you look like a real dumb ass.) I hope someone with some common sense mods you down, even if they agree with you're slashdot-populist message. Straw manning someone to ridicule them is unnecessary.

  4. Re:Biggest myths of all have been around for ages. by heinousjay · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It amazes me how actually looking and trying to find out the answer is looked down upon by religious people, when just deciding that some superman in the sky sneezed everything into existence is defended so vociferously.

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