I asked ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Claude if the student in yesterday’s comic was correct.
comic — the teacher is talking about persuasive writing and a student says “Research suggests that using facts and logic to try to change someone’s mind just makes them believe their original position even more. So I’m thinking we just forget this unit and enjoy some extra recess.” Some commenters ask if that is really true.
They all agreed that the idea is based on one study and was contradicted by further studies. I liked ChatGPT’s answer the best, so here it is:
Researchers have found that when people hold a strong belief that is tied to their identity, political tribe, religion, or worldview, simply presenting contrary facts can sometimes cause them to defend their original position more vigorously. This was dubbed the “backfire effect.”
However, later research found that the backfire effect is much less common than originally thought. In many cases, people do update their beliefs when presented with good evidence. The problem is that facts alone are often not enough when emotions, identity, or social belonging are involved.
A more accurate summary would be:
- Facts can change minds.
- Facts work best when people are open and not feeling attacked.
- If someone feels their identity is threatened, they may become more resistant.
- Stories, questions, shared values, and relationships are often more persuasive than facts alone.
Amen to that! More on this tomorrow.
June 18, 2026
Interesting. This makes me wonder if people are leaning more towards their original beliefs or is it based on how much they oppose the opposition.
I’m thinking in political terms here. I know a person who is very democratic. I don’t know if she believes in her candidate as much as she opposes the other.
Yes, I just read an article about that. https://theconversation.com/americans-keep-voting-for-scandal-prone-candidates-because-they-just-dont-want-the-other-party-to-win-284913
…I’ve never asked any of these sources.
I find them useful.
Interesting!!
🙂
I don’t know.
That’s always a great answer.
Sometimes facts can change up things!
Yes!
This is more like it!
Yes, but the polarization problem still exists.
Chat has a lot of answers. Unfortunately, these days many people feel like they are being attacked if questioned or given facts.
I know. 🙁
I want to start asking ChatGPT for more than cosmetic tips. (*grin*)
🙂
I have found with people and family close to me, that talking about how I feel just makes them angry and no matter what I say they will not change their beliefs. Several times I have voted for a person I really did not want for president but voted against the person running. I am bi-partisan and look at the candidate not the party. I find that no matter the affiliation with a party, not all in that party believe the same things.