I don’t really like the term ‘closed-minded people’ because I think some of the people we label as ‘closed-minded’ just have a different point of view to us.
Test it out. Think of someone who you label as ‘closed-minded’.
Do they:
- Make statements rather than ask questions?
- Overreact when questioned?
- Show little interest in understanding other perspectives?
- Shut others down using shame, ridiculing, being overly critical or becoming explosive?
If you answered ‘yes’ to most of these questions, chances are that the person you are thinking of IS ‘closed-minded’.
Now apply these questions to yourself:
DO I:
- Make statements rather than ask questions?
- Overreact when questioned?
- Show little interest in understanding other perspectives?
- Shut others down using shame, ridiculing, being overly critical or explosive?
I’ll be honest here – I have one topic where I am not interested in hearing the other side. Racism is that topic for me. I am not interested in opening my mind to racism. There are other things I feel strongly about; gun laws, the welfare state, and gay marriage amongst others, but I am open to hearing alternative views to mine.
Do you have a topic where you could become more open-minded?
