| True-believer Syndrome |
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The term ''"true-believer syndrome"'' is not accepted by mainstream psychologists, nor has it been used in scientific literature, but it is used mainly by skeptics. The term is not included or mentioned in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic And Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders . No clinical evidence has been provided for its links with demonstrable cognitive impairment or Psychopathology . Similar belief processes were studied by Thomas Kuhn . In his study on the sociology of science, '' The Structure Of Scientific Revolutions '' Kuhn demonstrates that scientists can hold onto beliefs in scientific theories despite overwhelming prevailing counter-evidence, and suggested that social forces, as much as ones purely concerned with rationality, are a strong influence on the beliefs we hold. This is an area studied by the Sociology Of Knowledge where the social function of paranormal beliefs has been a focus of research.orders]]. No clinical evidence has been provided for its links with demonstrable cognitive impairment or Psychopathology . Although not a psychologist, the American philosophy professor, and self-professed ''"hardened skeptic"'', Robert T. Carroll (the author of the Skeptic's Dictionary ) stated that true-believer syndrome may account for the popularity of Deepak Chopra , Uri Geller , Sathya Sai Baba and James Van Praagh . Carroll further wrote: "Since by definition those suffering from true-believer syndrome are irrationally committed to their beliefs, there is no point in arguing with them. Evidence and logical argument mean nothing to them. Such people are by definition deluded in the psychiatric sense of the term: they believe what is false and are incapable of being persuaded by evidence and argument that their notions are in error." Carroll also stated in his book that his opinions are not meant to present a balanced view on occult subjects and is not intended for ''"true believers"''. Carroll stated that when confronted with arguments or data critical of their beliefs, true believers will consider this information to be ''"insignificant, irrelevant, manipulative, deceptive, not authoritative, unscientific, unfair, biased, closed-minded, irrational and/or diabolical"''. pages 1-3 as taken from Robert T. Carroll's book, ''"Skeptic's dictionary"'' pp. 1-3, ''"My beliefs are clearly that of a hardened skeptic...I use the term 'occult' to refer to any and all of these subjects. The reader is forewarned that The Skeptics Dictionary does not try to present a balanced account of occult subjects. If anything, this book is a Davidian counterbalance to the Goliath of occult literature. I hope that an occasional missile hits its mark...As already stated, the one group that this book is not desgined for is that of the true believers. My studies have convinced me that arguments or data critical of their beliefs are always considered by true believers to be insignificant, irrelevant, manipulative, deceptive, not authoritative, unscientific, unfair, biased, closed-minded, irrational and/or diabolical."'' SEE ALSO
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