Research Links Open-Mindedness to Increased Anxiety and Reduced Sense of Meaning

Most individuals perceive themselves as open-minded, yet many are resistant to genuinely considering changes to their cherished core beliefs, particularly concerning fundamental topics like religious convictions or the meaning of life.

This resistance stems from the important psychological functions that deep-seated convictions serve. The willingness to alter one's mind about core beliefs in the face of new evidence is termed "existential humility."

Psychologists refer to a person's interconnected set of ideas and principles as their "worldview." These worldviews provide individuals with a sense of meaning, help manage anxiety, and offer security in understanding themselves and the world. Core beliefs within these worldviews can help mitigate fears, such as the belief in an afterlife potentially reducing the fear of mortality.

A 2022 study by a social psychologist and colleagues investigated the psychological impact of existential humility. Research participants reflected on their beliefs about existential topics, rating their commitment and openness to change. They then assessed their anxiety and well-being, including their sense of meaning and purpose, and any peace derived from religion.

The findings indicated that openness to changing core convictions often comes at a cost to well-being. Across several studies, involving college students, adults, and individuals undergoing significant religious belief revisions, higher existential humility was consistently associated with increased anxiety about death and a diminished sense of meaning in life.

According to Fortune, this research highlights a broader paradox between two fundamental human motivations: the desire for certainty and the drive for curiosity, both of which involve inherent trade-offs.