Opinion: Can you change yours easily?

Have you been in an argument or debate recently? Did you notice that some people seem stuck in their opinions while others constantly evolve their understanding?

Why do some people seem open while others are closed? Which one is better for you?

Adam Grant, psychologist at Wharton, identifies four distinct thinking styles that shape how we process information and form beliefs.

Understanding where you fall in this hierarchy can transform how you learn, lead, and make decisions.

The first style is the preacher. Preachers defend their existing beliefs with fervor. They see their job as protecting sacred ideas rather than examining them.

When challenged, they double down. Evidence that contradicts their worldview becomes a threat rather than an opportunity.

The second style is the prosecutor. Prosecutors focus on finding flaws in other people’s reasoning. They excel at poking holes in arguments and identifying weaknesses.

While this sharpens critical thinking, it often comes at a cost.

Prosecutors spend so much energy dismantling others’ ideas that they rarely examine their own assumptions.

The third style is the politician. Politicians seek approval. They adjust their positions based on what will win favor with their audience.

Flexibility sounds like a virtue until you realize it stems from social pressure rather than genuine insight. Politicians optimize for consensus, not truth.

The fourth style is the scientist. Scientists treat their own beliefs as hypotheses to be tested. They actively seek information that might prove them wrong.

When evidence contradicts their position, they update their thinking rather than defend their ego.

This requires intellectual humility that most people find uncomfortable.

Here is what makes this hierarchy useful. Most of us default to preaching, prosecuting, or politicking without realizing it.

We switch between modes depending on the topic, and the stakes involved. But the scientist mindset produces the most reliable conclusions because it prioritizes accuracy over comfort.

The shift from preacher to scientist is not about abandoning conviction.

Strong scientists hold firm beliefs.

The difference is that those beliefs earned their place through rigorous testing rather than emotional attachment.

How open are you to your opinion changing and evolving depending on what you are hearing and learning?

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