Dr. Maya Shankar

feel a lot of cognitive dissonance when it comes to challenging these deeply entrenched views that we have about the world.

feel a lot of cognitive dissonance when it comes to challenging these deeply entrenched views that we have about the world.

In many ways, when we challenge our own minds, we're challenging our sense of selves.

In many ways, when we challenge our own minds, we're challenging our sense of selves.

And importantly, this is research by Dan Kahan and others at Yale Law School, we're challenging our group membership.

And importantly, this is research by Dan Kahan and others at Yale Law School, we're challenging our group membership.

We're challenging our tribal memberships and the communities that we associate with.

We're challenging our tribal memberships and the communities that we associate with.

I think one thing I've learned from all of the research in behavioral science is that

I think one thing I've learned from all of the research in behavioral science is that

People don't make up their minds just based on the facts, just based on evidence.

People don't make up their minds just based on the facts, just based on evidence.

They make up their minds based on what their communities believe and value.

They make up their minds based on what their communities believe and value.

And, you know, this played out in COVID, for example, right?

And, you know, this played out in COVID, for example, right?

A lot of those who are believers of COVID and believers of wearing masks are thinking, it's just a piece of damn cloth.

A lot of those who are believers of COVID and believers of wearing masks are thinking, it's just a piece of damn cloth.

Like just wear the mask.

Like just wear the mask.