Changing our mind on an issue is something we're all free to do. But that doesn't mean it comes without a cost. What would it cost a lifelong liberal to suddenly turn conservative, or a career scientist to suddenly start denying climate change? As we typically associate with others of like mind, chances are the costs could be high.
But it's not just social pressure we feel when contemplating a shift in position, there are internal barriers to contend with as well. Each of us has been wired from an early age to think the way we think. And rewiring something as complicated as our brain is no easy task.
Despite these obstacles, our opinions and positions continue to evolve throughout our lives. This hour we talk with experts about the costs and benefits of changing our minds.
GUESTS:
- George Lakoff - Professor of Cognitive linguistics at UC Berkeley, and author of The ALL NEW Don't Think of an Elephant!: Know Your Values and Frame the Debate
- Sarah Kliff - Senior editor at Vox.com and contributor to the podcast The Weeds
- Richard Petty - Professor of Psychology at Ohio State University, and co-author of Attitudes: Insights from the New Implicit Measures
- Emily Sutcliffe - Associate Director of the Toll Public Interest Center and Director of Student Public Service Initiatives at University of Pennsylvania Law School
MUSIC:
- "Can I Change My Mind" by Tyrone Davis
- "I Changed My Mind" by K.D. Lang
- "I Changed My Mind" by Quannum Projects
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Colin McEnroe, Chion Wolf, Catie Talarski, Betsy Kaplan, and Lydia Brown contributed to this show.
