01 June 2023

Mental Health and Dogmatism

 Dogmatism Awareness, Information, Research and Resources

Mental Health and Dogmatism

Let the human mind loose. It must be loose. It will be loose. Superstition and dogmatism cannot confine it." ― John Adams

Whenever a theory appears to you as the only possible one, take this as a sign that you have neither understood the theory nor the problem which it was intended to solve.” ― Karl Popper

Dogma in Psychology

Dogmatism Contemporary Mental Health Research

Mental Health and Dogmatism
"Mental health and dogmatism are two distinct concepts, but they can intersect and influence each other in certain ways. Let's explore each concept individually and then discuss their potential relationship:

Mental Health:
Mental health refers to a person's emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It encompasses a wide range of factors, including one's thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and overall functioning in different areas of life. Good mental health allows individuals to cope with stress, navigate challenges, maintain healthy relationships, and lead fulfilling lives.

Mental health can be influenced by various factors, including genetics, environment, life experiences, and brain chemistry. Common mental health conditions include depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and eating disorders, among others. It's essential to prioritize mental health and seek appropriate support when needed.

Dogmatism:
Dogmatism refers to a rigid adherence to certain beliefs, principles, or ideologies, often accompanied by an unwillingness to consider alternative perspectives or evidence that challenges those beliefs. Dogmatic individuals tend to hold their views as absolute and unquestionable, often dismissing or rejecting differing opinions.

Dogmatism can manifest in various domains, including religion, politics, ideology, or personal beliefs. It can lead to closed-mindedness, intolerance, and an inability to engage in productive dialogue or consider different perspectives. Dogmatism can limit personal growth, hinder critical thinking, and strain relationships with others who hold differing views.

Relationship between Mental Health and Dogmatism:
The relationship between mental health and dogmatism can be complex. While mental health conditions themselves do not inherently cause dogmatism, certain factors can contribute to the development or reinforcement of dogmatic tendencies:

1. Cognitive Biases: Mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression can influence cognitive processes and contribute to cognitive biases. These biases may result in black-and-white thinking, all-or-nothing reasoning, or a rigid perception of the world, potentially fostering dogmatic beliefs.

2. Emotional Vulnerability: Individuals experiencing emotional distress or vulnerability may seek comfort and stability in rigid belief systems. Dogmatic beliefs can provide a sense of security and certainty, acting as a coping mechanism for underlying emotional challenges.

3. Social Factors: Socialization and environmental factors play a significant role in shaping beliefs and attitudes. Exposure to dogmatic individuals or communities that reinforce rigid ideologies can contribute to the adoption of dogmatic thinking patterns.

4. Confirmation Bias: Dogmatism often involves confirmation bias, which is the tendency to seek out information that supports existing beliefs while dismissing or ignoring conflicting evidence. Confirmation bias can hinder critical thinking and prevent individuals from considering alternative viewpoints.

It's worth noting that while dogmatism can have negative consequences for mental health, engaging in critical thinking, open-mindedness, and respectful dialogue can promote psychological well-being. Fostering intellectual humility, which involves recognizing the limits of one's knowledge and being open to learning from others, can help mitigate dogmatic tendencies.

If dogmatism or mental health concerns are impacting your well-being or relationships, seeking support from mental health professionals, counselors, or support groups can be beneficial. They can provide guidance and strategies to promote healthy thinking patterns, emotional well-being, and constructive engagement with differing viewpoints." (ChatAGP 2023)

A Cognitive Approach to Dogmatism: An investigation into the relationship of verbal working memory and dogmatism ScienceDirect

Antipsychiatry Movement: Intelligible Doctrine or Populist Dogma PDF Download Journal of Clinical and Community Medicine

Beyond the bounds of the dogmatic image of thought: the development of critical, creative thinking in the mental health professions Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing

Challenging Dogma in Neuropsychology and related disciplines ScienceDirect

Descartes' Dogma and Damage to Western Psychiatry NIH

Dogmatism and Happiness NIH

Dogma Overview & Examples | What is Dogmatism? Study

Dogmatism and Mental Health: A comparison of the religious and secular. American Psychological Association

Dogmatism and Opinions about Mental Illness Sage Journals

Dogmatism manifests in lowered information search under uncertainty PNAS

Ethical and Social Consequences of Dogmatism in Society PDF Download International Journal of Ethics & Society (IJES) 

False dogmas in Mood Disorders Research: Towards a Nomothetic Network Approach NIH

Four Dogmas of Antipsychiatry Psychiatric Times

How Dogmatism Leaves Us Less Informed The Decision Lab

Investigating the Effects of Dogmatism on Openness and Empathy in Counselors-in-Training AKA Knowledge Center 


Mindfulness and the Psychology of Ethical Dogmatism PDF Download University of Vienna

New psychology study provides insight into fundamental Cognitive Processes linked to Dogmatism Psypost

Studies Help Understand Why Some People Are So Sure They’re Right Neuroscience News

The Brain Disorders Debate, Chekhov, and Mental Health Humanities Springer Link

The Moderating Influences of Emotional Pretensions and Dogmatic Behaviors on the Relationship between Leadership-Induced Stress and Mental Well-Being Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal

The Level of Dogmatism in Schizophrenia. A Comparative Analysis of Utterance Texts with the Use of the Suitbert Ertel Dogmatism Quotient 
PDF Download Monika Obrębska, Sandra Nowak Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań

The Nature And Meaning of Dogmatism All About Psychology

Theory of Dogmatism, Personality Traits and Shopping Behavior ScienceDirect

Transcending global health dogma: An Indigenous perspective The Lancet

Why some people are so sure they're right, even when they are not. Insight suggests ways to communicate with people who ignore evidence that contradicts cherished beliefs ScienceDaily

What is Dogmatism? - Video