What you know (that just ain’t so).

“I remember landing under sniper fire—we just ran with our heads down to get into the vehicles to get to our base.” “If I win, I am going to instruct my attorney general to get a special prosecutor to look into your (missing email) situation.”

No facts necessary, ma’am.

Television comedian Stephen Colbert of the Colbert Report popularized the term “truthiness.” Truthiness depicts things that are spoken as true, repeated as if true, that might even sound true, but in fact are not true. It’s what we intuitively know without regard to evidence, logic, intellectual examination, or facts. Truthiness is “What I say is right, and [nothing] anyone else says could possibly be true.” In politics, it helps strengthen our beliefs (“Hillary is crooked”) and align what we observe with what we believe (“Donald doesn’t have the temperament”).

I am the Great Cornholio! Obey me!

We tend to favor evidence that confirms our opinions, whether they’re true or not. Political pollsters, pundits, and media elites frequently suffer from this confirmation bias (see: What the Bleep! happened?). By interpreting ambiguous evidence in their favor, and raising the standard for evidence that violates their beliefs, opposing apparatchiks become overconfident that they are in the stronger position (optimism trap*).

Voters sip the Kool-Aid too. A study at the University of Iowa (2015) found that once people reach a conclusion and commit to it in writing, they aren’t likely to change their minds, even when new information shows their initial belief is likely wrong. Psychologists refer to this as an absence of “active open-mindedness.” In the recent political sturm & drang, many people failed to consider whether the evidence, existing as well as new, might be wrong. Even when they interpreted it in a neutral manner, they often selectively recalled the facts to reinforce their expectations.

Attention know-it-alls …

Referred to as “the mother of all misconceptions,” the confirmation bias is so insidious that we almost never realize it’s happening. Surprisingly, however, it has almost nothing to do with how intelligent you are. But it has a lot to do with whether you think rationally, according to a study by Keith E. Stanovich et al. (2016). Thus, those who believe that a good argument is one that is based on facts are more likely to exhibit this bias (superiority trap*). It isn’t what you know that will get you in deep doo-doo. It’s what you know that just ain’t so.

Don’t take the bait!

Political strategists have figured out that psychological nudges online and in the headlines are all that’s needed to secure victory. First, hook the voter with claims that can’t be delivered. Then, after the election, substitute something more realistic and announce you’re “evolving.” In a classic “bait and switch,” your vote is chopped, formed, and deep fried. Spin doctors know this—now, you do too.

By definition, politicians have the truthiness gene. Your job as an informed voter is to expose their DNA. But confirmation bias isn’t limited to the corps d’elite—you may have a boss, a teacher, or a friend who fits the bill quite nicely! So, what can you do? Here are some tips to help you better connect with others who have a different perspective:

1. Seek out a trusted tribal elder. We push ourselves to think critically when we know in advance we’ll need to explain our views to others who are well-informed. “I don’t know” is an acceptable response to move the conversation in the right direction.
2. LISTEN to those with whom you disagree. The need to be proven right is a big driver of the confirmation bias. Honor those who have diverse perspectives with a sense of curiosity. Saying, “I might be wrong” shows vulnerability and may alter your views.
3. It’s okay to be passionate! Energetic debate is healthy. But remember, the objective is not to win—it’s to get to the truth. Use humor to reinforce that this is friendly discourse. If necessary, agree to disagree and thank them for their insights.
4. Be honest with yourself. Are you blindly accepting information without questioning the judgments and motives of the message framers (see: Attention sheeple!)? Are you looking at what’s truly important, or simply looking out for your own selfish wants?
5. Deal with disappointment. Resist hunting for scapegoats. Arguing that “It’s not fair!” doesn’t change the outcome; it only lowers your credibility. Accept what is and get on with life. Try to become more effective at influencing others so you can make a positive difference.

* Questionable beliefs can “trap” our better judgment, leading to poor decisions and unintended consequences. In the optimism trap, we often overestimate the likelihood that the outcomes we want will occur. In the superiority trap, we tend to exaggerate the extent of our knowledge, ability, or memory. Learn more about these, and other interesting topics, in the Young Person’s Guide to Wisdom, Power, and Life Success.

Image credit: “Cool urban stylish black american man” by Ysbrand Cosijn, licensed from 123rf.com (2016).