What is belief perseverance?

Belief perseverance refers to the phenomenon where individuals maintain their beliefs even in the face of contradictory evidence. This characteristic is significant in understanding how cognitive biases can influence the way people process information.

When someone is confronted with evidence that contradicts their pre-existing belief, rather than reassessing their stance, they often cling to the belief. This persistence can result from the emotional investment individuals have in their beliefs, as well as cognitive dissonance which can make it uncomfortable to accept conflicting information.

In contrast, changing beliefs based on new evidence or being influenced by social dynamics represents different cognitive processes that do not align with the concept of belief perseverance. Thus, the accurate definition encapsulates the tendency to hold onto beliefs despite evidence contradicting them, highlighting the strength of beliefs over rational evaluation of new information.