Backfire Effect
(reading time – 1 min.)

The effect is claimed to be that when, in the face of contradictory evidence, established beliefs do not change but actually get stronger.

This happens for example when corporations know that they are doing something that is harmful but nonetheless promote denialism.

The corporation can even publicly admit that their product is harmful while simultaneously covertly funding astroturf groups that promote the denialist message. Examples of this coverup behavior include the asbestos industry, the tobacco industry, the sugar industry, and the fossil fuel industry with regard to global warming.

Topic: #CognitiveBiases
Source: rationalwiki.org