The Consistency Principle

We humans are an interesting lot. Confusing might be the word to describe us, but thankfully, there are some professionals that study human behaviours, learn how to read body language, and then, give readers the gift of their gleaned knowledge. 

Plain old WRONG

I recently learned about the consistency principle, and man alive, the lights sure did turn on for me when I realized it explains what has happened in the minds of those that adamantly remain committed to being right, when all evidence points to them being in grave error. I can think of many a stubborn moment in my own life when what I had committed to, was not exactly the best or wise plan, but I clung to it until I had to humbly admit, I was just plain old WRONG. We have all been in similar circumstances, and the consequences for clinging to a lie can be dire; there is proof of this all around us, isn't that right, dear reader?

Consistency principle

Let us dive into the consistency principle, as explained by a former FBI agent, Jack Schaffer, Ph. D. The information comes from the book he wrote with Marvin Karlins, Ph. D. entitled The Like Switch. I am not quoting the book verbatim, I am using my own words to describe what I have learned. 

The consistency principle explains decision making processes. When we have to make a choice, we may feel some tension, as we consider taking a stance or making a move. Once we have decided, and verbalize our decision, the tension dissipates, leaving us with a feeling of resolve, or even a sense of peace. If someone presents a dissenting point of view BEFORE we have verbalized our opinion, there is a chance their reasoning will change ours, but once we have vocalized our decisions to go a certain route, it is very difficult for anyone to change our mind! 

Right choice?

Once a decision has been made, being reluctant to change our point of view is only natural; being proven wrong can cause dissonance and psychological strain; after all, we thought we thought the thing through in the first place... isn't that proof enough that we made the right choice? 

I declare that emotional attachment to being right, can be our undoing. When we have invested feelings into a decision, rationality can magically evaporate. Emotions colour, or discolour, clarity, and facts to prove we were correct can be contrived to contribute to the continued delusion. Sound familiar?

Conviction of conscience 

This is when we get to learn and grow. When our relationships start to suffer because we refuse to be wrong, ever, there is something off that needs to be addressed. I love the concept of conviction of conscience, that niggling feeling that maybe, just maybe, we made a decision that wasn't based on sound reasoning, but based on something that was conveniently placed in front of us at the time. 

Being wrong periodically is a given that can become a way of life if we refuse to accept responsibility for mismanaging our choices. The consistency principle proves how stubborn we humans can be, forsaking truth and a better way, when we reject being corrected. It is humility that teaches us to accept our errors, to learn from them, and to be more reticent the next time a big decision has to be made. As someone once said:

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby (Hebrews 12:11) 

And;

Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish (Proverbs 12:1) 

I will give you a different translation for Hebrews 12:11 and Proverbs 12:1

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it (Hebrews 12:11)

And;

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid (Proverbs 12:1)

I am pretty confident we can leave off from this topic with these verses, dear reader. May God richly bless you after you willingly confess your sins and ask for His forgiveness, and to lead you in a better, more holy way.