Exploring the roots of stupidity: first understand the psychology of what lies behind irrational opinions

By Manfred Kets de Vries, INSEAD

Most people, at one time or another, act foolishly. However, truly ignorant individuals exhibit a lack of introspection and stubbornly cling to their opinions, regardless of how irrational they may be. These people demonstrate unwavering self-assurance and are often oblivious to their own inadequacies. They craft retrospective justifications to validate their beliefs and hold onto them.

Even when presented with opportunities for personal growth and change, they seem incapable of breaking free from their entrenched habits. Reasoning with stubborn individuals can be as perplexing as it is frustrating. Many have written it off as a hopeless task.

As American writer Mark Twain once cautioned:

Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.

To argue against stupidity only seems to reinforce it. These individuals thrive on power and control, defending their position and denying their foolishness, regardless of counterarguments.

Despite these challenges, it is still possible to sway such people towards more sensible behaviour. It all starts with understanding the roots of stupidity. From a psychological perspective, stupidity is often considered an outcome of cognitive biases or errors in judgment.

Why biases persist

Many prominent psychologists attribute irrational beliefs and foolish actions to our cognitive limitations. Research into human cognition and decision-making has shed light on why these biases persist. It reveals that humans are not purely rational beings. They switch between fast, intuitive thinking and slow, rational thinking, depending on the situation.

Neuroscientists have also weighed in, noting that the brain’s frontal lobes, responsible for rational thinking, can be overridden by the amygdala, a more primitive system for processing threats. In emergency situations requiring quick decisions, the slower, deliberate information processing is often set aside.

Numerous cognitive biases can help explain some of the nonsensical decisions people make. For instance, individuals can be susceptible to confirmation bias, where they favour information that aligns with their preexisting beliefs.

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