Such messages caused activation in the brain region that is responsible for error detection. So in other words (and yes, I am grossly simplifying here), it was as if people's brain's were indicating "error, error, error; this message does not compute."

This is consistent with research by Emily Pronin (psychology professor at Princeton University), which shows that people of all beliefs see their own beliefs as LESS biased than others. In other words, republicans see themselves as less biased, and so do democrats, and for that matter, so do mailman, coperate CEO's and homeless people.

I think this goes a long way in explaining the depth and extent to which people defend their beliefs. Perhaps, Berger and Luckmann are right; we do live, in some sense, in alternative forms of reality. Sure, we all know a rock won't bite us and 2 + 2 = 4, but what I "know" (George W. Bush was lousy) is not what many Republicans "knows" (George W. Bush was a good president).

I will leave with another example I think sums this up well. When I teach cultural psychology, I have said statements like, "this tribe believes that the world came from a coconut shell (class laughs). That is absurd right (class agrees). We all know God created the world in 7 days and then took a well-deserved nap. It was hard work making women out of a man's rib."

The gist is that most of the class doesn't realize I am making a joke or being sarcastic. They just nod and agree.

@Aribeth

Excellent example!

(not my example,it's part of the clip)

This is fascinating. Also a little troubling.

But what about the epiphany?
Where does changing one's mind, or beliefs, fit in? It may not happen all that often, but it surely does happen.