- Can you think of a time
when you supported a decision,
had a strong belief,
or argued a position
only to realize that evidence was mounting
and pointing in a different direction?
The resistance to changing our minds can be intense.
But this ability,
to change one's mind,
is required for critical thinking.
Even when we're able to change our minds
privately to ourselves,
communicating that change publicly can be really tough.
And when we see others struggling with this challenge,
it can be hard to know what to say
to make it easier for them,
especially when we're convinced that they've been so wrong.
You can start by acknowledging
there is uncertainty on complex issues.
Try saying,
"These issues are more complex than I'd like to think."
It's true that there's a lot we don't know,
a lot I don't know.
As evidence is starting to pile up in favor of your opinion
or in favor of an opposing opinion,
use caveats.
A caveat statement can sound something like,
"Assuming we can validate this new information,
would you consider a shift
and how we should think about this?"
Or, "I see a shift in how to think about this
provided we can validate this new information."
Notice as people begin to change their mind
and stop offering corrections,
because it can backfire by increasing the strength
of their old way of thinking.
This is called the backfire effect.
And it's important to avoid this.
Try something like,
"It's clear how you thought that,"
especially with the available evidence at the time.
Or if it's you that's beginning to change your mind,
you can say,
"Give me a chance to integrate this new information.
If I need to update my thinking,
I will."
Don't say, "I told you so,"
because they'll be on the lookout
for an opportunity to say it back to you.
If they say, "I told you so," to you,
try responding,
"You did."
Remember, those convinced against their will
are of the same opinion still.
And treat outdated views as sunk costs.
Whether you stick with your outdated views
or change your mind to update your views,
you won't get that time back.
Your outdated views are not you.
Your updated views are opportunities only realized
if you stop clinging to your outdated views.
When you're ready to change your mind out loud,
try saying this,
"The information available to me was incomplete.
I know we're always operating with incomplete information,
but with this new information,
I think it's wise to update my position."
Once you're comfortable changing your mind in conversation,
you become a model for others,
who will also become comfortable changing their minds.
And this makes the other components
of critical thinking communication become much easier.
I am Becky Saltzman.
I look forward to hearing
about how critical thinking communication
is working for you.