CHANGES IN POLITICAL BELIEFS

Beliefs, or statements individuals hold to be true, are a central aspect of human psychology and society. They can encourage or obstruct social movements and social changes, influence voting decisions, and instigate violent collective behavior. The power beliefs can be particularly concerning when communities endorse false beliefs, such as the false belief that vaccines cause autism. Accordingly, a burgeoning interdisciplinary literature, including cognitive science, social psychology, and political science among others, investigating mechanisms of belief change has emerged. This chapter reviews empirical and theoretical work addressing the formation and change of political beliefs, among individuals and collectives. From false belief correction strategies to ideologically motivated barriers to change, this chapter summarizes research on misinformation spread, identity politics, and political polarization. This work has meaningful and profound implications for the main challenges society is currently facing, from global epidemics, to mounting inequality, to the climate crisis.