Why tribalism trumps truth
It often takes more than facts to change people’s minds.
How often has this happened to you?
You’re trying to explain to someone, who seems like a reasonable and open-minded person, why their opinion on a topic is incorrect. You present facts and arguments that, to you, feel clear and undeniable. You expect this reasonable person to understand your perspective and agree with you. But instead, they remain firm in their belief and continue to defend their opinion. It leaves you wondering: How can they not see things your way? Why don’t they realize they’re wrong? What’s wrong with them?
The other person probably has similar thoughts about you.
Tribalism trumps truth
Humans have evolved over about two million years, mostly living in small groups of just a few dozen people. For most of that time, up until about 12,000 years ago, they hunted animals and gathered food. For 99 percent of human history, people lived as hunter-gatherers. This long period before farming shaped our brains to fit a life of living in close-knit groups and hunting and gathering food, and has shaped many of our present-day psychological characteristics.
Our hunter-gatherer ancestors needed an accurate mental map of their surroundings to survive in a harsh and dangerous world. They had to know where to find shelter, water, food like fruits, seeds, nuts, honey, and animals to hunt. They needed to be aware of where predators were and which foods were safe to eat. They also had to understand the changing seasons, how plants grow, the behavior of animals, and much more. Knowing how things were connected, like cause and effect, helped them predict what might happen next. The more accurate their understanding of the world was, the better it helped them survive. Because of this, we are naturally curious and have a strong tendency to seek the truth.
To survive, our hunter-gatherer ancestors had to belong to a tribe. Going against the tribe’s beliefs was dangerous because being kicked out of the tribe usually meant certain death. Without the tribe, they could be attacked by predators, killed by members of a neighboring tribe, or starve. To fit in and share the tribe’s beliefs, the human mind developed the ability to believe things that don’t align with reality. The need to belong to a group is why we have a natural drive to share the beliefs of our tribe.
Our hunter-gatherer ancestors were members of just one tribe, but today, we can belong to many different tribes. On a personal level, this might include the family we were born into, our group of friends, or the communities we’re part of, like a local church, sports team, or spiritual group. On a bigger scale, we might feel connected to the city or country we live in, our favorite sports team, or the political party we support.
We like to think of ourselves as rational beings who always seek the truth. But when was the last time you changed your mind because of a fact someone shared with you? Often, it’s more important for us to stay connected to our tribes than to accept the truth of a particular idea. Being accepted is often more important than being right.
👉 Person A holds on to the religious beliefs taught by his parents because he doesn’t want to distance himself from them.
👉 Person B adopts the interests and opinions of her friends because she wants to keep a good relationship with them.
👉 Person C doesn’t believe the claims of sexual abuse against his spiritual guru because he feels loyal to the guru’s community.
If we believe something just to stay connected to a tribe, facts won’t change our mind about it. We don’t really care whether it’s true or not. Tribalism trumps truth because, from an evolutionary standpoint, our survival depended on our ability to stay connected to our tribe.
To bond with our tribe, we can believe almost anything as long as it doesn’t seriously threaten our survival or the ability to reproduce. Beliefs that could endanger these fundamental necessities would have been selected out by evolution, as they would have reduced the chances of survival and passing on our genes. We can hold on to any belief like this, no matter how strange, when we are supported by a community of like-minded believers.
👉 Members of spiritual tribes often believe in unproven things like a universal consciousness, life after death, everything happening for a reason, the seven major chakras, communicating with the dead, and nonphysical spirit guides that support us.
👉 Members of political tribes typically share unfounded opinions about issues like immigration, climate change, foreign aid, and freedom of speech.
👉 Members of religious tribes may share beliefs about the existence of one or more gods, the importance of certain texts and rituals, and how people should behave.
When people feel loyal to their tribe, it’s very hard to get them to change their beliefs. Changing their mind would be like asking them to leave their tribe, which would mean losing their social connections with other members. The more someone’s sense of identity is tied to their tribe, the harder it becomes to change what they believe. Confirmation bias makes this even tougher, as we naturally focus on information that supports our beliefs and dismiss what challenges them, reinforcing our connection to the tribe.
How can we convince others to change their minds?
Imagine you want to make the world a better place by helping someone see things differently about an important issue. How can you do that?
Many of us believe that sharing facts should be enough to change someone’s opinion. But that’s not how it works. People rarely change their minds because of facts alone. As mentioned before: when was the last time you changed your mind because of a fact someone told you?
Still, there are things we can do to make it more likely that someone will change their mind. These approaches aim to bring down the defensive wall people tend to put up when their beliefs are challenged. If someone feels attacked or pressured, this wall grows stronger, making them less likely to listen. It weakens when we create a space where they feel comfortable enough to reflect, question, and reconsider their perspective.
In the process, we need to listen with an open mind and be willing to reconsider our own views based on what we learn. Changing our mind isn’t a weakness—it’s a sign of growth, maturity, and intellectual honesty. It reflects a willingness to adapt and the confidence to seek truth over the need to be right.
⚒️ Listen to understand
When talking to someone, focus on truly understanding their point of view instead of trying to change their mind. Ask open-ended, non-judgmental questions, show genuine interest in what they have to say, and be curious about their experiences. Try putting yourself in their shoes to understand where they’re coming from.
If we try to change someone’s mind, they’ll likely get defensive and cling to their beliefs even more. But if they notice that we truly try to understand them, without judgment or rejection, they’ll feel freer to reflect on their own views. And who knows—they might even decide to change their mind on their own.
⚒️ Build a foundation of friendship and trust
People are more likely to be persuaded by facts when they come from someone they like and trust. Building a foundation of friendship and trust makes it easier for someone to change their mind. When we include them in our group, they won’t feel like they’re losing social connections if they change their beliefs.
You can build this foundation by not just talking about controversial topics but also by getting to know the person better. Earning their trust means showing genuine interest in their life and values. Invite them to share a meal. Ask about their childhood or the biggest challenges they’ve faced. This can help you understand where their beliefs come from and make it easier to relate to them.
Building a foundation of friendship and trust takes time and patience. It's not just about getting someone to listen to you, but also about creating a space where they feel comfortable sharing their thoughts without judgment. When they trust that your intentions are sincere, the more they feel understood and respected, the more open they may become to considering new perspectives.
⚒️ Ask what evidence would change their mind
One way to better understand someone’s point of view is to ask:
🤔 What evidence would you need to change your mind?
This question encourages them to consider what would actually lead them to rethink their position. It helps both of you gain a clearer understanding of their reasoning. If they can’t name any evidence, it might suggest that their belief is based more on emotion or identity than facts. On the other hand, if they do provide an answer, it opens the door for a more meaningful discussion. Either way, this approach lowers defensiveness and shifts the focus to thinking rather than defending positions.
⚒️ Use moral reframing
When you frame your message, connect it with the moral beliefs and values of the people you want to convince. Tap into what matters most to them by using moral terms that support their beliefs instead of challenging them. This approach lets them stay true to their core moral values while considering a different perspective. By connecting on a deeper level, your arguments become more convincing and easier to relate to.
For example, if you want conservatives to care more about the environment, you could focus on values they care about, like patriotism. You might talk about protecting our way of life and preserving the natural beauty and resources of our country. Similarly, if you want progressives to support free speech protections, you could appeal to values like inclusion and justice. You might emphasize how protecting free speech ensures that marginalized voices are heard and that everyone has a fair chance to express their perspectives.
👉 Ask them to explain their understanding
We often think we understand complex topics more deeply than we actually do. To help someone realize this, ask them to explain their concepts or reasoning in detail, step by step. Encourage them to break things down by asking questions like “How does this work?” As they try to explain, they may notice gaps or areas they don’t fully understand. This can make them more open to rethinking their views or feeling less certain about them. Plus, by hearing their reasoning, you might learn something new too.
References
Sapiens, by Yuval Noah Harari
Why Facts Don’t Change Our Minds, by James Clear, https://jamesclear.com/why-facts-dont-change-minds
Changing Minds: It Takes More than Facts, Farnam Street, https://fs.blog/facts-are-not-enough/
Here’s Why Tribalism Trumps Truth, Psychology Today, by Mike Brooks Ph. D. https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/tech-happy-life/202009/heres-why-tribalism-trumps-truth
How Politically Biased Are You? Try This Quick Test!, Psychology Today, by Mike Brooks Ph. D. https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/tech-happy-life/202009/how-politically-biased-are-you-try-quick-test
Why Is It So Hard to Change People’s Minds?, Greater Good Magazine, by Elizabeth Svoboda, https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/why_is_it_so_hard_to_change_peoples_minds
#1 Psychologist: Toolkit to Accomplish Your Hardest Goals, The Knowledge Project podcast, with Shane Parrish and Maya Shankar
