来源：《今日心理学》
原文刊登日期：2020年11月3日
本文适合做完型填空的选文
Research on motivated reasoning, confirmation bias, and other illogical leaps of the human brain show that we are simply not equipped to convince each other through debate. As emotional and social creatures, we form opinions based on our feelings and seek communion with others who feel the same way. This helps us hold onto our views and swat away threats to them. Research finds that when people are presented information on complex topics, they agree with the points that support their existing position and dismiss those that contradict it.
对动机性推理、证实偏见和人脑其他不合逻辑的跳跃的研究表明，我们根本没有能力通过辩论说服对方。作为情绪化和社会化的生物，我们根据自己的感受形成观点，并寻求与有同样感受的人交流。这有助于我们坚持自己的观点，消除对这些观点的威胁。研究发现，当人们看到关于复杂话题的信息时，他们会同意支持他们现有立场的观点，而忽略与之相矛盾的观点。
The least-informed individuals tend to be the most zealous about how right they are and to gain the most pleasure from their supposed moral superiority. Heated debates only convince the already converted and further entrench the other side. This is why political arguments are generally futile: There are always fast-moving data points to cherry-pick and exaggerations and distortions aplenty.
最没见识的人往往最热衷于自己的正确性，并从他们所谓的道德优越感中获得最大的快乐。激烈的辩论只会说服已经皈依的一方，并进一步巩固对方的立场。这就是为什么政治争论通常是徒劳的：总是有快速变化的数据点可供挑选，并有大量的夸张和扭曲。
Life may be complex, but we prefer simplicity and certainty. Politics is a clear example: The issues are loaded with ambiguity, complexity, and subjectivity, but we often boil it all down to the simple certainty: “Everything my side says is true, and you’re an idiot if you don’t agree.” Have you been on social media recently? Have you seen this classic formulation: “How can any intelligent person vote for candidate X? I’m honestly asking!” No, they’re not. They’re really asking, “What sort of moron could support that fraud?”
生活可能很复杂，但我们更喜欢简单和确定。政治就是一个明显的例子：政治问题充满了模糊性、复杂性和主观性，但我们通常将其归结为简单的确定性：“我的观点都是正确的，如果你不同意，你就是个白痴。”你最近上过社交媒体吗？你有没有看过这样一个经典的表述：“哪个聪明人会投票给候选人X？我诚实地问！”不，他们并不真诚。他们想说的是，“什么样的白痴会支持这种骗子？”
Voltaire said, “Doubt is uncomfortable, certainty is ridiculous.” He might have been thinking about politics, but his words also apply to relationships. Partners become certain of their opinions, even about subjective issues, because everyone likes to feel correct, in every domain. The next time you get into an argument at the dinner table, remember that aggressively pushing facts and accusations will not win anyone over. You may just end up arguing each other into deeper divides.
伏尔泰说过：“怀疑让人不舒服，确定性是荒谬的。”他可能考虑的是政治，但他的话也适用于两性关系。伴侣们对自己的观点变得很确定，甚至是关于主观问题，因为每个人都喜欢在每个领域都感觉自己是正确的。下次你在餐桌上与人争论时，记住，咄咄逼人地推事实和指责不会赢得任何人的支持。你们可能会以争吵而结束，导致更深的分歧。