Cognitive Closure: Fierce Ties, Rigid Thinking

Arie Kruglanski from the University of Maryland is a noted social psychologist and researcher on extremism. He studies what motivates people to join terrorist groups like ISIS. Dr. Kruglanski writes about the psychology of binary thinking. His principle is called ‘cognitive closure’ in psychology. It’s defined by the APA as a state where a person recognizes that they have achieved an understanding of something. It’s an assumption, or perhaps a presumption, that ‘I know’. It brings the comfort of certainty. One consequence of course is it enhances preferences for firm, even rigid rules and social order supporting the conclusion. And the predictable fallout is a rejection of critical thinking and openness to be persuaded to another idea. In America we are locked into this process with the sides drawn on social issues and politics. ‘Cognitive Closure’ risks rejecting divergent opinions and beliefs and an inclination toward stereotypes and prejudice. Cognitive Closure shuts the door on persuasion to contrary ideas. It is what is roiling our culture and politics and the implacable divisions. When openness to opposing ideas is rejected impulsively, when we are stuck in a state of ‘cognitive closure’ and cannot be reached, we suffer without end. Welcome to American life 2023.