We’ve all been there. Digging in our heels during an argument, certain that we’re the one seeing things clearly. But here’s the twist: the other person feels the same way.
The human brain is wired to believe in its own correctness. It’s not arrogance; it’s psychology. Our confidence in our views stems from cognitive biases that evolved to help us survive, but in the modern world, they often cloud judgment instead.
The Brain’s Confidence Engine
The belief that we’re right begins in the prefrontal cortex, where reasoning and decision-making occur. Once your brain forms an interpretation of reality, it commits to it. That commitment feels rewarding because it triggers dopamine, which is a chemical associated with confidence and certainty.
Psychologists call this phenomenon confirmation bias, which refers to our tendency to seek out and favor information that supports what we already believe while ignoring or dismissing evidence that contradicts it. This isn’t deliberate dishonesty; it’s mental efficiency. The brain’s goal is coherence, not truth. Contradictory information creates discomfort, which is referred to as cognitive dissonance, so we subconsciously avoid it.
The result: two intelligent people can look at the same facts and walk away with entirely different conclusions, both convinced they’re right.
Explore The Psychology of First Impressions (and How Long They Last) to see how quick judgments lock in fast.
Why Being Wrong Feels Threatening
Being wrong triggers the same brain regions associated with pain, which are the anterior cingulate cortex and insula. This neural discomfort explains why people defend beliefs so fiercely. It’s not just about ego; it’s about safety. If your brain equates being right with being in control, then being wrong feels like danger.
Evolution favored confidence because, in ancestral environments, hesitation could be costly. Certainty made decisions faster. But in a world filled with nuance and complex information, that same wiring can make open-mindedness uncomfortable.
The Illusion of Objectivity
We all like to think our opinions come from logic, not bias, but emotion plays a bigger role than we admit. The amygdala and limbic system process beliefs through emotional filters long before rational thought gets involved. Once emotion colors perception, the prefrontal cortex steps in; not to question it, but to justify it.
This process, called motivated reasoning, explains why debates on politics, religion, or identity rarely change minds. Each side uses intellect not to find truth, but to defend their existing worldview.
Social media amplifies this bias by surrounding us with echo chambers that reinforce our beliefs, feeding the illusion that our perspective is the majority view. The brain interprets consensus as evidence of correctness, which is a mental shortcut known as the consensus effect.
See Why We Remember Embarrassing Moments So Clearly for how strong emotion stamps memories.
How to Outsmart Your Inner Bias
Becoming aware of these biases is the first step toward overcoming them. The most intellectually honest people aren’t those who are always right; they’re those willing to be wrong. Cognitive scientists recommend several ways to train mental flexibility:
- Practice intellectual humility. Remind yourself that your perspective is limited by experience.
- Seek disconfirming evidence. Read or listen to credible voices who disagree with you. Then try to summarize their arguments fairly.
- Pause before reacting. Emotional arousal narrows perception. A few deep breaths can reopen rational processing.
- Use the “consider-the-opposite” rule. Ask: “What would make this belief false?” It helps balance your reasoning.
Neuroscience shows that people who engage curiosity over certainty activate broader neural networks, improving creativity and empathy.
Consider The Science Behind Why We Procrastinate to spot another case where emotion affects choices.
Why Everyone Feels Right—Even When They’re Not
Our brains are designed for meaning-making, not perfect accuracy. Certainty feels safer than doubt, and belonging to a group that shares your worldview reinforces identity. That’s why disagreement can feel so personal. It threatens more than opinion; it threatens self-concept.
Recognizing this doesn’t weaken conviction; it refines it. True wisdom lies not in being right, but in knowing when to question your own certainty.
