<p>The term I would use is <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_dissonance" rel="noreferrer">"cognitive dissonance."</a> That is, there is "dissonance" between the result of one's cognitive processes, and the actual truth. According to psychologist Leon Festinger, people strive for internal consistency even at the expense of truth.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-04T06:24:14.430Z
Isn't cognitive dissonance more like a conflict between two beliefs instead of a conflict between reality and belief?
Robin Kramer-ten Have
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-04T06:26:41.437Z
@RobinKramer: In many cases, one of those to "beliefs" is what is true, and the other belief is what is believed, and the two are in conflict.
Tom Au
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-06-07T15:22:57.997Z
@RobinKramer the very Q states *conflict with prior beliefs*
Mindwin Remember Monica
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-11-01T15:53:05.683Z
2017-05-03T10:02:08.790Z
2017-05-03T10:02:08.790Z
Tom Au
<p>Isn't this just an effect of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation_bias" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Confirmation Bias</a>?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-03-10T10:07:46.723Z
2021-03-10T10:07:46.723Z
user1934212
<p>Sometimes people seem to be very resistant to information that is in conflict with prior beliefs, even when this new information is very plausible.</p>

<p>For example, a patient might change a doctor, because he/she does not get the diagnosis he/she expected even if the diagnosis is correct.</p>

<p>How is the psychological term for this tendency?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-10-25T18:12:36.550Z
That would be "messenger-shooter," or a person who "shoots the messenger." King's messenger used to be a dangerous job, if you had to bring news the king wouldn't like.
Here_n_Now
<cognitive-psychology><social-psychology><terminology><bias>
What is the psychological term for disregarding correct but unwanted information?
CuriousSuperhero
# What is the psychological term for disregarding correct but unwanted information?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-10-22)

Sometimes people seem to be very resistant to information that is in conflict with prior beliefs, even when this new information is very plausible.

For example, a patient might change a doctor, because he/she does not get the diagnosis he/she expected even if the diagnosis is correct.

How is the psychological term for this tendency?

**Tags:** cognitive-psychology, social-psychology, terminology, bias

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: That would be "messenger-shooter," or a person who "shoots the messenger." King's messenger used to be a dangerous job, if you had to bring news the king wouldn't like.  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2015-11-01. Score: 6

The term I would use is ["cognitive dissonance."](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_dissonance) That is, there is "dissonance" between the result of one's cognitive processes, and the actual truth. According to psychologist Leon Festinger, people strive for internal consistency even at the expense of truth.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: Isn't cognitive dissonance more like a conflict between two beliefs instead of a conflict between reality and belief?  
> **username_2**: @RobinKramer: In many cases, one of those to "beliefs" is what is true, and the other belief is what is believed, and the two are in conflict.  
> **username_4**: @RobinKramer the very Q states *conflict with prior beliefs*  

---

### Answer by username_5 on 2021-03-10. Score: 3

Isn't this just an effect of the [Confirmation Bias](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation_bias)?


---

