What is it called when someone holds onto initial beliefs despite evidence that contradicts them?

The phenomenon of holding onto initial beliefs despite contrary evidence is known as belief perseverance. This concept refers to the tendency for individuals to maintain their beliefs even when they are presented with overwhelming evidence that should lead them to reconsider those beliefs. Belief perseverance often stems from a desire to remain consistent in one's views and can be influenced by emotional attachment to those beliefs or by social identity factors.

In contrast to belief perseverance, cognitive dissonance refers to the psychological discomfort experienced when a person holds two contradictory beliefs or when their beliefs are contradicted by their actions. While cognitive dissonance may lead an individual to change their beliefs or actions to reduce discomfort, belief perseverance specifically highlights the tendency to resist change even in the face of new information.

Altruism is an unrelated concept that describes selfless behavior intended to benefit others, while burnout pertains to chronic stress leading to emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion. Neither of these terms addresses the idea of maintaining beliefs despite contradicting evidence, which is the crux of belief perseverance. Thus, the term that accurately describes this behavior is belief perseverance.