Beyondism Backup #2

Therapeutic Theories Based on Robust Research

Reference Point · Shedding Light on Human Nature

"When the torrent sweeps a man against a boulder, you must expect him to scream,
and you need not be surprised if the scream is sometimes a theory."
— Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–1894)

1 Amorous Assimilation
Belief Bias
"An idea is not responsible for the people who believe in it."
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Belief Bias
Muriuki accepts only information that confirms his beliefs, rejecting anything that contradicts his worldview as irrational.
  • UUnderstanding reasoning from prior knowledge can be positive.
  • PPuerile Belief Bias is relying on prior beliefs over logical principles.
  • GGenerally, we accept arguments aligning with our values.
  • RRejecting counter-arguments based on prior knowledge is Belief Bias.
  • AAffirmatively, it is an extremely common and significant form of error.
  • DDecadently, our beliefs can blind us to wrong conclusions.
  • EEnnervated by it, we avoid serious reasoning tasks.
Evans et al. (1983)
Therapy: Let conclusion believability and logical validity — not comfort — guide your judgement.
2 Amorous Assimilation
Belief Perseverance
"Is it true? This is the most tremendous tale of all."
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Belief Perseverance
Otieno watches pornography believing it causes no harm, despite substantial evidence showing its negative mental impact.
  • UUnder Belief Perseverance lies Belief Persistence / Conceptual Conservatism.
  • PPurposively: maintaining belief despite firmly contradicting new information.
  • GGuilelessly, beliefs can even strengthen when debunking evidence is shown.
  • RRedundantly called the Backfire Effect (compare Boomerang Effect).
  • AA Familiarity Backfire Effect entrenches myths; Overkill provides excess arguments.
  • DDue Worldview Backfire Effect comes from threatening someone's worldview.
  • EEffetely — does Belief Perseverance rank among nature's fundamental laws?
L. Ross, Lepper & Hubbard (1975)
Therapy: Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at will change.
3 Amorous Assimilation
Psychological Discounting
"Those who lack temperament must compensate with ornament."
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Psychological Discounting
A guitarist who receives fan adulation may discount their love of music and conclude they play only for fame.
  • UUsually we make explanations rather than simply accepting events.
  • PPractically, more than one explanation often exists for any behaviour.
  • GGenerally, we discount or minimise the importance of each reason.
  • RReally, if one explanation seems plausible, others are discarded as irrelevant.
  • AAugmentation principle: a good failure explanation strengthens success explanations.
  • DDiscounting applies well when a strong explanation already exists for an effect.
  • EEssentially, discounting is a trade-off — the stronger explanation wins.
Harold Kelley (1921–2003)
Therapy: In the competition between causal factors, the stronger explanation will prevail.
4 Amorous Assimilation
External Justification
"Blame yourself as you would blame others; excuse others as you would excuse yourself."
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External Justification
Cognitive Dissonance arises when our actions conflict with our values — we blame outside forces rather than ourselves.
  • UUncomfortable Cognitive Dissonance arises when we act against our values.
  • PPurposively, we justify by making external attributions, blaming outside forces.
  • GGenerally, this contrasts with Internal Justification, which implicates character.
  • RReasons from outside sources facilitate External Justification.
  • AAn Internal Justification provides self-justifying answers when external ones are lacking.
  • DDecisive External Justification is often less effective than Internal Justification.
  • EEssential Internal Justification changes behaviour to reduce Cognitive Dissonance.
Leon Festinger (1919–1989) & James M. Carlsmith (1936–1984)
Therapy: We ought to relentlessly ignore excuses — especially those we tell ourselves.
5 Amorous Assimilation
Insufficient Punishment
"The first time Adam had a chance, he laid the blame on Eve."
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Insufficient Punishment
We devalue a forbidden activity to reduce dissonance — a small reward or mild threat is sometimes more effective than a large one.
  • UUndertaking tasks against our beliefs is sometimes unavoidable.
  • PPrecisely: Insufficient Punishment occurs when a small reward replaces a large one.
  • GGenerally, a mild threat reduces desire more lastingly than a severe one.
  • RReward, when smaller, minimises Cognitive Dissonance — it feels easier to justify.
  • AAspiring to stop unwanted behaviour? Don't threaten massive punishment.
  • DDare to threaten just enough — a minimal technique — to halt them temporarily.
  • EEventually they will not only comply, but believe and give up the behaviour willingly.
James M. Carlsmith (1936–1984) & Elliot Aronson (b. 1932)
Therapy: Some things will always defy the denial we take up to slay them.
6 Amorous Assimilation
Coming Soon…
7 Amorous Assimilation
Coming Soon…