What is belief perseverance?

Belief perseverance refers to the phenomenon where individuals maintain their initial beliefs even when confronted with new evidence that contradicts those beliefs. This cognitive bias can lead individuals to dismiss or ignore information that challenges their preconceived notions, resulting in a steadfast commitment to their original ideas.

In this context, option C captures the essence of belief perseverance, indicating a resistance to changing one’s judgments in light of new information. The psychological mechanisms behind this include cognitive dissonance, where individuals experience discomfort when their beliefs are challenged, leading them to rationalize or ignore the contradictory evidence.

The other options describe different cognitive tendencies or behaviors that do not encapsulate the specific concept of belief perseverance. For instance, changing beliefs with new evidence conflicts directly with the essence of belief perseverance, as does relying solely on expert opinions or accepting information that aligns with existing beliefs instead of considering evidence that may contradict them.