Do politics make us irrational? - Jay Van Bavel

Dig into the psychology of political partisanship, how to recognize it and what strategies can be used to combat it.

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Can someone’s political identity actually affect their ability to process information? The answer lies in a cognitive phenomenon known as partisanship. While identifying with social groups is an essential and healthy part of life, it can become a problem when the group’s beliefs are at odds with reality. So how can we recognize and combat partisanship? Jay Van Bavel shares helpful strategies.

Lesson by Jay Van Bavel, directed by Patrick Smith.

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[SavageCommentaryOriginal]

Remember, this only applies to the other guys.

[MoonatikYT]

"Politics makes us irrational"
"Uh, no it doesn't."
"Yes, it does."
"No, it doesn't. "
"Yes it does!"
"No it doesn't!"
"YES IT DOES!"
"NO IT DO-"

[PersianSlashuur]

This is the most aggressive game of tic tac toe I've ever seen.

[AbrahamSamma]

Embrace scepticism. It is not the same as denialism. You can never go wrong when you "trust but verify".

[eliasstenman]

Everyone watching this is gonna think it critisises their opponents political ideologies.

[jasonng]

Something I've always said. Don't identity with a political group or ideology. Just describe your beliefs as they are or use terms that fit in with your beliefs exactly.

[nginroom]

"If you are emotionally attached to your tribe, religion or political leaning to the point that truth and justice become secondary considerations, your education and exposure is useless. If you cannot reason beyond petty sentiments, you are a liability to mankind."
- Chuba Okadigbo

[poweroffriendship.]

_"A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplice."_

*~ George Orwell*

[semconscious]

The key is to realize both sides are corrupt. Just in different ways.

[stephonmanny]

I just watched video showing people acting this way and I was wondering why. Thanks for explaining this.

[haliaxlaclith]

“Every group holds things sacred. Every group values the truth. And when truth and the sacred conflict, every group throws truth under the bus.” - Jonathan Haidt
Haidt wrote an entire book on this concept called "The Righteous Mind" and has done a few TED Talks himself.

[edwinjoy]

Freedom is the freedom to say 2+2 is four...

George Orwell

[prfm_setya]

*remember that you're probably more biased than you think*
*-Ted Ed 2020-*
Thank you so much 🙏, this is made me reflect myself 🙏

[sdarkpaladin]

The main problem is that sometimes, information is purposely with withheld from the general public. Whether for our own good, national defence, etc. But it causes the people to be unable to be objective as they literally do not have enough information. Another problem is the stifling of scientific studies in disputed areas because "they don't matter". Identifying political bias is easy. Explaining it without facts is hard. Scrutinizing it without data is even harder.

[epiclegodude]

this is something i’m cautious of. i know sometimes by personal biases can can distort my perception of reality.

[dleivam]

Wow.. I expected a war in the comments but so far I'm glad I was wrong

[trueblueedits]

What is "good", "correct", "justice", and the "moral thing to do" will always be subjective depending on the person. It's when people fail to see the subjectiveness of these things do we get conflict.

[sebastianelytron]

At least everybody watching this video on YouTube can agree, we're all on the same page!

[buttsquegee]

Glad to see someone discussing the problem, instead of hiding it. God bless you TED-Ed

[yoyostoons]

When you hear metal sword sounds but the swords are wooden.