10 signs of dogmatism

Recognizing rigid beliefs in yourself and others

Ideological, political and other dogmatism manifests in a set of behaviors and cognitive patterns that reinforce rigid, unyielding beliefs. Here are 10 key signs to look out for:

1. Resistance to New Information
   Dogmatic people reject evidence or arguments that challenge their core beliefs without careful consideration. They may dismiss facts, data, or research that contradict their views and selectively accept information that confirms their pre-existing opinions.

2. Polarized Thinking
   This sign involves seeing issues in extreme terms, such as "us vs. them," "right vs. wrong," or "good vs. bad." It leaves no room for nuance or compromise.

3. Inflexibility
   Dogmatism is marked by an unwillingness to reconsider or adapt one's beliefs, even when strong counterarguments or new evidence are presented. For those with dogmatic views, compromise can feel like a betrayal of principles.

4. Emotional Reactivity
   Rather than engaging with opposing views in a calm, curious manner, dogmatic individuals often respond to disagreements with anger, hostility, or defensiveness. They may view challenges to their beliefs as personal attacks rather than opportunities for discussion.

5. Groupthink
   In groups dominated by dogmatic thinking, loyalty and conformity are prioritized over critical thinking and individual independence. Dissent is often suppressed to maintain group unity and ideological orthodoxy, stifling diversity of thought.

6. Moral Certainty
   Dogmatic thinkers believe that their ideology is the sole source of truth and moral righteousness. They often assume that opposing views are not only incorrect but also lack any valid ethical or intellectual foundation.

7. Demonization of Opponents
   Rather than acknowledging the humanity or valid concerns of those with opposing views, dogmatists often attribute malicious intent, ignorance, or stupidity to their opponents.

8. Intolerance of Ambiguity
   Dogmatic people struggle with uncertainty and complexity. They often insist on simple, definitive answers to complex problems and have difficulty accepting multiple perspectives or acknowledging areas of ambiguity.

9. Overemphasis on Purity
   Dogmatism often leads to an obsession with ideological purity. Dogmatic people may engage in "purity tests" to ensure that others align perfectly with their beliefs, ostracizing or attacking those who deviate even slightly from the accepted views.

10. Rejection of Criticism
    Critiques of their beliefs are typically dismissed as biased, irrelevant, or hostile, rather than being addressed thoughtfully. Critics are often labeled as enemies or traitors to the cause, preventing constructive dialogue.

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How Dogmatism Manifests

• In Thought: Dogmatism simplifies complex issues into black-and-white thinking, often reducing nuanced matters to stark binaries like good vs. evil.

• In Behavior: It can manifest in groups by suppressing dissent and ostracizing individuals who challenge accepted views, thus creating an environment of conformity.

• In Dialogue: Dogmatic individuals tend to refuse engagement with opposing perspectives or alternative solutions, dismissing them as irrelevant or wrong without due consideration.

Look for signs of dogmatism in yourself

Even when people, including you and I, are not dogmatists, we can still exhibit some traits from the above list. Even if normally open-minded and levelheaded, we all at times, such as during an argument, and in certain areas be closeminded, irrational, and stubborn. As with being physically fit, being open-minded and critical thinkers is an ongoing project, and we all can fall back into bad habits.