I’ve been thinking lately about why, in debates (usually) about highly emotional topics, so many people seem unable to acknowledge even minor wrongdoings or mistakes from “their” side, even when doing so wouldn’t necessarily undermine their broader position.

I’m not here to rehash any particular political event or take sides - I’m more interested in the psychological mechanisms behind this behavior.

For example, it feels like many people bind their identity to a cause so tightly that admitting any fault feels like a betrayal of the whole. I’ve also noticed that criticism toward one side is often immediately interpreted as support for the “other” side, leading to tribal reactions rather than nuanced thinking.

I’d love to hear thoughts on the psychological underpinnings of this. Why do you think it’s so hard for people to “give an inch” even when it wouldn’t really cost them anything in principle?

  • ElcaineVolta
    5•1 month ago

    I’m not here to rehash any particular political event or take sides

    checks post history out of curiosity oh.

    • snooggumsEnglish
      4•1 month ago

      Their name should give away that they are a troll.

      • ElcaineVolta
        4•1 month ago

        the irony of their position and still asking this question is military grade, ironically enough in its own way.

    • @Opinionhaver@feddit.ukOPEnglish
      0•1 month ago

      To quote myself here:

      I’ve also noticed that criticism toward one side is often immediately interpreted as support for the “other” side, leading to tribal reactions rather than nuanced thinking.