Transcripts

Michael Shermer:
For example, Republicans believe that they're Republicans for intellectual reasons, sound fiscal policy and so on. But you ask them, "Why do you think somebody else is a Democrat?" and they'll say, "Oh, because he's a bleeding heart liberal and he just feels bad for the poor." In other words, emotional reasons. It's just fascinating.

Dr. Michael Shermer, author of the book Why People Believe Weird Things, did a study where he asked people why they believe in God.

The number one answer that people gave for why they believe in God is the design and complexity of the universe. It looks designed and they gave me really good, intellectual answers. But then I asked them, "Why do you think other people believe in God?" and the number one answer was, "Emotional need and comfort." So in other words, I believe for rational reasons, you believe for emotional reasons, and it turns out, this is a psychological effect called "attribution bias."

And we all tend to do it, says Michael. It's basic human nature.

For example, I see myself as successful because I'm hardworking and intelligent, whereas you're successful because you're in the right place at the right time and you just got lucky and so on. In other words, I attribute my success to one set of variables, but yours to a different set of variables and the attribution is always bias in my own favor. We see ourselves in a positive light and we spin doctor it.

At somethingyoushouldknow.net. I'm Mike Carruthers and that's "Something You Should Know."