Many of us aspire to be open-minded, but what does it actually mean, and how can we tell if we truly are? Others shy away from claiming they are open-minded because they enjoy being certain of their view or stance on something that’s important to them. In this blog, we’ll examine the challenges and benefits of being open-minded. Let’s proceed, shall we?

Possible causes of closed-mindedness

Closed-mindedness may stem from childhood, especially if influential figures in your formative years modeled more rigid thinking. If disagreement and healthy discussions weren’t part of your upbringing, you may be more likely to be closed-minded.

In recent years, polarization has become more prominent, especially as it relates to politics and social justice issues. In order to maintain social order and good standing among your social group, your own adult bubble may be playing into closed-minded tendencies. Are you attempting to gain approval, avoiding contrary views to prevent an uncomfortable discussion, or focusing on ideas and information that only support your existing beliefs?

Three ways to become more
open-minded

1. Seek our credible opposing views
   It’s okay to respectfully disagree with someone else as long as you are making a genuine effort to hear them out. When reading or watching something, try to be mindful of your bias and do your best to consider the other side before making a final judgement on the matter.

2. Make the best case you can for an opposing view
   In any situation, take your time to think about and articulate your point of view, then do the same for the opposite view point. You may just find some middle ground!

3. Attend lectures or webinars with thought leaders who have a different perspective or worldview from your own
   Look for reputable experts who discuss subjects you’re trying to be more open-minded about. Then, take advantage of message boards or time at the end to ask them questions so you can have a thoughtful, informative, and productive conversation.

The takeaway

This Psychology Today article says it best, “Haidt wrote, ‘(People) have strong gut feelings about what is right and wrong, and they struggle to construct post hoc justifications for those feelings. Even when the servant (reasoning) comes back empty-handed, the master (intuition) doesn’t change his judgment.’ Judgment should be based on full-dimensioned, not narrow thinking. So it’s worth seeking out thoughtful disagreement with even your core beliefs. That could benefit you, your loved ones, friends, and maybe even society.”