‘True believers’ hard to change

One has only to pick up the newspaper or watch television to see daily examples of individuals and groups who assume positions in their lives that place them at the extreme end of a particular cause, lifestyle or way of thinking.

These individuals are sometimes called “true believers.” They become the standard bearers for their way of thinking, polarizing themselves, often to the extreme. Attempting to dissuade them from their beliefs or even consider alternatives is often difficult, if not possible.

These true believers may be described by those around them as highly opinionated, unreasonable in their thinking and even as fanatics. Their outspoken commitment to their beliefs often serves as a beacon to rally individuals less committed than they are to the cause. Their fragile, shaky and unhealthy self-concepts cause them to readily embrace the adoration and approval of those with similar views. This reinforces and produces a stronger commitment to their cause.

The unhealthy cycle continues and grows until the group develops a life of its own, so to speak, eventually producing a type of energy that becomes difficult, if not impossible, to control or change because of the fervent, zealous, single-minded commitment to the cause.

From a psychologist’s point of view, these individuals can be extremely interesting, although they are frequently difficult to help because of their lack of willingness to see the necessity for change in themselves.

From society’s point of view, however, they can be potentially dangerous at times. Their extreme thinking can lead to behavior outside of acceptable norms of the community. They believe that their way is the only way and that anyone who does not embrace their viewpoint is their enemy.

To these individuals, taking a stand often is equated with doing battle – until death, if necessary – to produce the results their cause promotes. If they move into a position of control, their lust for power frequently grows stronger and the self-righteous quality in their thinking usually becomes prominent.

Social and behavioral scientists have studied the characteristics of these groups for years. Coping with the often negative effects these individuals impose on those around them who do not share their views is often as difficult as trying to deal with a severe storm, a contagious disease or unbridled events in nature.

Attempting to resolve conflicting points of view with open communication, the spirit of compromise and the willingness to examine issues from different points of view would seem to be the most effective way to deal with situations where polarized thinking has occurred.

As we all know, however, these solutions do not always prove to be satisfactory. Therefore, disassociation, quarantine, or, as my father use to say, moving on to higher ground may be the only solution.

Copyright c 1990 Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D.