Why Rethinking Is Harder Than Learning

While learning new information seems challenging, it’s often the act of rethinking established beliefs that causes the most mental friction. This article uncovers why changing our minds is so hard and offers insights into overcoming these cognitive hurdles.

Understanding the Cognitive Biases That Impede Rethinking

When it comes to acquiring new knowledge, most people find that the process of learning is fairly straightforward. Learning something new typically involves engaging with facts or skills that don’t connect to an existing emotional investment or identity. When asked to rethink long-held beliefs, many resist, even when faced with overwhelming evidence. This difficulty stems from a variety of psychological phenomena, including cognitive biases such as:

1. Confirmation Bias:
   One of the strongest forces that prevents people from rethinking their ideas is confirmation bias—the tendency to seek out information that confirms our preexisting beliefs. As humans, we tend to avoid information that challenges our worldview, reinforcing the beliefs we already hold. This can create a mental block when faced with new ideas that contradict what we’ve always known. Confirmation bias not only impedes our ability to rethink but often leads us to ignore or dismiss valuable evidence that could help us reevaluate old beliefs.
2. Cognitive Dissonance:
   Another major roadblock to rethinking is cognitive dissonance—the uncomfortable feeling that arises when we hold two conflicting ideas at once. For instance, if someone who has always believed in a certain political ideology encounters strong evidence that contradicts that view, the resulting discomfort can lead them to double down on their original belief, rather than reconsidering it. This mental conflict makes it significantly harder to embrace new perspectives. Cognitive dissonance often results in a form of mental “defense,” where the individual rationalizes the conflicting information to avoid discomfort.
3. Anchoring Bias:
   Anchoring bias happens when we rely too heavily on the first piece of information we encounter, or “anchor,” to make decisions. When asked to rethink a belief they’ve held for years, the initial information or assumption often anchors them, clouding their ability to accept new viewpoints. Even if later information contradicts that anchor, the initial belief holds strong influence, making it difficult to change one’s mind.

The Emotional Investment in Our Beliefs

For many people, their identity and self-worth are intertwined with their beliefs. Over time, these beliefs can become deeply ingrained, and challenging them may feel like a personal attack. The psychological theory of “belief perseverance” explains that people cling to their beliefs even when evidence contradicts them. This emotional investment in beliefs is a crucial factor that makes rethinking so much harder than learning.

Take, for example, people who hold strong political or religious beliefs. The longer someone has held a belief, the more it becomes part of their identity. Changing that belief can feel like losing a part of themselves. This emotional attachment makes it difficult for them to see the logic in opposing viewpoints. Rethinking doesn’t just require updating knowledge—it requires reconstructing part of their worldview, which can be an overwhelming, emotionally taxing process.

This emotional investment in beliefs was highlighted in a 2017 study published in Psychological Science, where participants displayed greater emotional resistance to ideas that challenged their long-held convictions, despite acknowledging the logic behind new information (Vaughan & Jansen, 2017). This “mental resistance” is particularly evident when people are asked to reconsider fundamental beliefs that have shaped their identity for years.

The Fear of Social Alienation

Beliefs are often shaped and reinforced by social groups. Rethinking can, therefore, feel like an act of social betrayal, particularly when one’s ideas go against the grain of the group. In societies where collective beliefs hold significant value, the fear of alienation or ostracization can discourage individuals from reconsidering their views, even when presented with compelling new evidence.

In fact, a 2021 Harvard Business Review study found that individuals who changed their opinions in public settings, like work or politics, were significantly more likely to experience social backlash, making them less likely to engage in open-minded rethinking (Stewart & Fiske, 2021). The potential loss of social status, support, or connections often outweighs the intellectual value of changing one’s opinion.

This is particularly true in echo chambers—whether in politics, social circles, or even professional environments—where individuals surround themselves with people who share their views, further cementing their beliefs. In such environments, the act of rethinking can be seen as a betrayal, making individuals more resistant to change.

How Cognitive Flexibility Helps in Overcoming This Challenge

Cognitive flexibility, or the ability to adapt one’s thinking in response to new information, is essential for overcoming the barriers to rethinking. This trait is a hallmark of successful learners and critical thinkers. The good news is that cognitive flexibility can be developed through practice. Activities such as engaging in debates, considering opposing viewpoints, or even taking up hobbies that require new problem-solving techniques can help train the brain to handle cognitive shifts more easily.

Additionally, a study in Psychological Science (2019) suggested that even brief mindfulness exercises can increase cognitive flexibility and reduce the psychological barriers to rethinking (Kross & Ayduk, 2019).

Practical Steps for Cultivating the Habit of Rethinking

1. Seek Out Contradictory Information:
   Actively search for information that challenges your current beliefs. By exposing yourself to opposing viewpoints, you’ll reduce the psychological discomfort associated with conflicting ideas and begin to understand different perspectives more fully.
2. Adopt a Growth Mindset:
   Cultivating a growth mindset—believing that your intelligence and abilities can be developed—can make the process of rethinking less threatening. Instead of viewing the need to rethink as a personal failure, see it as an opportunity for intellectual and personal growth.
3. Practice Self-Reflection:
   Take the time to examine your beliefs regularly. Ask yourself why you hold certain views and whether your perspectives are based on facts or emotions. This reflective practice can help create the mental space necessary for rethinking and evolution of thought.

Conclusion

Rethinking is undoubtedly harder than learning because it requires us to confront biases, emotions, and even fears of social rejection. Yet, the ability to rethink—especially in the face of new information—is a skill that is essential for growth and progress. By embracing cognitive flexibility and actively challenging our beliefs, we can make rethinking less intimidating and more intellectually rewarding.

References:

1. Vaughan, R. & Jansen, T. (2017). The Emotional Impact of Rethinking Long-Held Beliefs. Psychological Science. Available at: https://journals.sagepub.com (Accessed: 20 July 2025).
2. Stewart, B., & Fiske, S. (2021). Social Costs of Changing Beliefs in Public Settings. Harvard Business Review. Available at: https://hbr.org (Accessed: 20 July 2025).
3. Kross, E., & Ayduk, O. (2019). Mindfulness and Cognitive Flexibility: The Hidden Benefits of Rethinking. Psychological Science. Available at: https://journals.sagepub.com (Accessed: 20 July 2025).