The Psychology of Belief

The systems in the brain that light up when we access our beliefs are the same systems that help us understand stories... the same brain systems involved when people think about who they are and about the beliefs that are most important to them... the default mode network, a set of interconnected areas of the brain associated with identity and self-representation... lights up in brain imaging when ... They’re thinking — about themselves and their future and their plans. It also lights up when people read stories with values they consider deeply important to them and when people think about their political beliefs...
so-called sacred values are so difficult to change... surrounded by a complex network of mental safeguards... When your most deeply held beliefs are challenged, basic brain systems, those responsible for protecting us, kick into high gear... like the amygdala, which tells you when to be afraid, and the insula,,, processes visceral feelings from the gut...
what determines the strength of our convictions ... our emotions. When you establish your beliefs, if they include emotional tags, the brain saves that information differently so it’s more accessible and impactful... So much of our identity is social, and so many of our social connections are founded on shared beliefs... most people find it simpler to maintain both their established beliefs and their social circle than to consider a drastic value shift... Our primary self-defense tactic is to remove the threat and avoid anything that might challenge our worldview... exacerbated by our reliance on social media.