GOP insider shocks by debunking Republican conspiracy theory: 'What kind of sorcery?'
rawstory.com
A GOP insider debunking her own party's conspiracy theory is a live case study in how in-group dissent collides with motivated reasoning — and why it's so rare.
Motivated ReasoningIn-Group BiasEpistemic CowardiceBackfire Effect
Theory Briefing
- Elizabeth Barcohana, an LA GOP operative, publicly debunked a Republican conspiracy theory despite fierce pushback from Rasmussen Reports.
- Her refusal to back down defies the powerful tribal loyalty that typically silences in-group dissent, especially in polarized politics.
- The 'What kind of sorcery?' reaction reveals how motivated reasoning makes factual corrections from insiders feel more threatening than those from opponents.