Originally Posted by Wwanderer
I think that is right and that there is a related effect which may be equally important, namely the rhetorical dynamics of a debate often lead people into taking more extreme or one-sided positions than their actual views because they are trying to win...to not concede any points to those arguing the opposing conclusion for fear that it will cause them to lose the whole argument, etc.
While both are "natural" human tendancies, I think, it also seems to me that they act to make discussions less useful and interesting.
-Ww