Contradiction Appeal Bias, or Counterintuitivity Bias, is the tendency to believe statements that contradict common knowledge simply because they’re unexpected. Think conspiracy theories, health myths and so on.
Causes
Several factors drive this bias, including but not limited to:
Self-Doubt: Individuals unsure of their own understanding may be more easily swayed by contradictory information.
Emotion: Alarming claims, especially those that trigger fear, can make people believe without much evidence.
Information Overload: When bombarded with information, counterintuitive claims might be accepted without scrutiny.
Examples
Flat Earth Theory: Despite the scientific consensus on a spherical Earth, some are drawn to the flat Earth idea because it starkly contradicts mainstream thought. Though I do not purport that this idea alone explains the existence of conspiracy theories.
Health Myths: Claims like “drinking cold water after meals causes cancer” can spread rapidly, not due to scientific evidence, but because they challenge common practices and beliefs.
This is a rough first sketch. Looking for quick feedback on the idea, will update in the future.
Contradiction Appeal Bias
Contradiction Appeal Bias, or Counterintuitivity Bias, is the tendency to believe statements that contradict common knowledge simply because they’re unexpected. Think conspiracy theories, health myths and so on.
Causes
Several factors drive this bias, including but not limited to:
Self-Doubt: Individuals unsure of their own understanding may be more easily swayed by contradictory information.
Emotion: Alarming claims, especially those that trigger fear, can make people believe without much evidence.
Information Overload: When bombarded with information, counterintuitive claims might be accepted without scrutiny.
Examples
Flat Earth Theory: Despite the scientific consensus on a spherical Earth, some are drawn to the flat Earth idea because it starkly contradicts mainstream thought. Though I do not purport that this idea alone explains the existence of conspiracy theories.
Health Myths: Claims like “drinking cold water after meals causes cancer” can spread rapidly, not due to scientific evidence, but because they challenge common practices and beliefs.