"A purity spiral is a sociological theory which argues for the existence of a form of groupthink in which it becomes more beneficial to hold certain views than to not hold them, and more extreme views are rewarded *while expressing doubt, nuance, or moderation is punished* (a process sometimes called "moral outbidding"). It is argued tha…
"A purity spiral is a sociological theory which argues for the existence of a form of groupthink in which it becomes more beneficial to hold certain views than to not hold them, and more extreme views are rewarded *while expressing doubt, nuance, or moderation is punished* (a process sometimes called "moral outbidding"). It is argued that this feedback loop leads to members competing to demonstrate the zealotry or purity of their views."
Exactly. It's the 21st Century version of heresy. Any deviance from approved doctrine, on so many topics now, is met with ostracism or worse. Even from people who are almost entirely in agreement. And so, as you say, people are motivated to hold more and more extreme versions of their tribe's dogma.
Also called 'crony/merit' beliefs. Cronyism is believing in something that's popular in your environment. It *might* be true or it might not be. Merit beliefs are those held with the best available data. Cronyists ignore the data when they prefer being accepted by their community to being right, although they twist themselves into pretezels to convince themselves they are so they don't have to acknowledge how deluded they and their crowd are (and acknowledge their critics were right about them).
"A purity spiral is a sociological theory which argues for the existence of a form of groupthink in which it becomes more beneficial to hold certain views than to not hold them, and more extreme views are rewarded *while expressing doubt, nuance, or moderation is punished* (a process sometimes called "moral outbidding"). It is argued that this feedback loop leads to members competing to demonstrate the zealotry or purity of their views."
Exactly. It's the 21st Century version of heresy. Any deviance from approved doctrine, on so many topics now, is met with ostracism or worse. Even from people who are almost entirely in agreement. And so, as you say, people are motivated to hold more and more extreme versions of their tribe's dogma.
It's so depressing
Also called 'crony/merit' beliefs. Cronyism is believing in something that's popular in your environment. It *might* be true or it might not be. Merit beliefs are those held with the best available data. Cronyists ignore the data when they prefer being accepted by their community to being right, although they twist themselves into pretezels to convince themselves they are so they don't have to acknowledge how deluded they and their crowd are (and acknowledge their critics were right about them).
Thanks.
Thank you for expanding my working vocabulary!