Why We Believe Lies: Cognitive Dissonance And The Rise of Conspiracy Theories (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798263259693)

Why We Believe Lies: Cognitive Dissonance and the Rise of Conspiracy Theories

You're probably wrong about something important right now. And your brain is working overtime to make sure you never find out.

Cognitive dissonance-the psychological discomfort of holding contradictory beliefs-affects everyone from brilliant scientists to ordinary families. It's why smart people make terrible decisions, why facts often backfire when challenging someone's beliefs, and why conspiracy theories spread like wildfire through trusted networks.

Drawing on over four decades of observing human behavior, retired teacher and entrepreneur Nyree M. Burt reveals how this "psychological bully" shapes our daily lives. From families torn apart by conspiracy beliefs to the algorithms designed to exploit our mental weaknesses, she shows how cognitive dissonance protects us from uncomfortable truths-often at devastating cost.

Discover:

• Physical warning signs when cognitive dissonance strikes
• Why direct confrontation fails and what works instead
• How to think clearly in an age of competing narratives
• The human cost when false certainties destroy relationships
• Practical tools for helping others without arguing

Written with honesty, humor, and humanity, this book offers essential survival skills for navigating our complex information landscape. Perfect for anyone who's wondered why intelligent people believe ridiculous things-and wants to make sure they're not one of them.

Sometimes being wrong gracefully matters more than being right.