The Effect of Breaking Illusions of Knowledge on Belief Network Structure

Abstract

The present study seeks to understand the mechanisms that moderate the tightness of belief networks. 208 participants were recruited for a between subjects study to complete a questionnaire measuring the strength and relatedness of some of their beliefs. In the experimental condition, participants encountered Illusions of Knowledge and had their feelings of threat and feelings of certainty activated to see if these feelings moderated the tightness of their belief networks and their willingness to make personal changes in their lives. The belief network we tested was their belief network regarding how flexible versus rigid human abilities are across several domains. Several null results were found but, we found also found one statistically significant finding. We found that participants became more likely to see beliefs about human flexibility as related when they were made to feel uncertain.