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Receptive
Joshua A Zamora
Abstract
This paper will explore 5 articles that discuss the concept of an open-minded state of
mind. It first ponders the meaning of what defines open-mindedness then delves into the benefits
and drawbacks of thinking this way. Finally, this paper will determine the best way to stay open
Receptive
Ignorance can very well be attributed to most if not all of humankind’s blunders. From
the beginning of recorded history up until now; wars, debates, arguments, out lashes, about every
human caused dispute has been a direct result of not knowing what is true by either party. Not
willing to understand that humans are not at the stage of our technological peak to be considered
all-knowing and thus people continuously make such superior claims as if they are. When we’re
born we grow up under a certain household, under a certain language, under a certain belief
system that we do not get to choose. Growing up we absorb this information that we gather from
the specific environment around us. We process it, trust it and utilize it to further our desires and
goals. Desires and goals that come about strictly from what we are exposed to. Our thoughts,
actions, ideas all sprout from our unique experiences. Thus, to grasp complete knowledge of
what is in fact true, so unnecessary violence, suffering, and blunders will end, every individual
Literature Review
“Being open-minded is about being receptive” (Sturm, 2017). Receptive meaning that
you are willing to consider and maybe even accept ideas that are new to you. Even though, those
ideas and concepts may seem odd or out of the ordinary. Being receptive allows you to invoke a
sense of curiosity in that new idea and really consider whether it is necessary to entertain. Also,
evidence against one’s favored beliefs, plans, or goals, and to weigh such evidence fairly when it
is available”.
RECEPTIVE 4
Open-minded, cognitively complex individuals are less swayed by singular events and are more
Open-minded individuals are better able to predict how others will behave and are less prone to
projection.
Open-minded individuals tend to score better on tests of general cognitive ability like the SAT or
an IQ test. (Of course, we don’t know whether being open-minded makes one smarter or vice
versa.)
According to DiPirro (2010), there are a wide range of benefits to being open-minded.
Firstly, when you become open minded you begin letting go of control. It may seem as if letting
go of control cannot possibly be a positive but it in fact is. When you open your mind you free
yourself from having to be in complete control of your thoughts. This allows you to experience
new things from a unique perspective. A perspective where you are in a liberated state of mind.
Secondly, opening your mind to different ideas gives you the opportunity to alter the way
you think and the way you view the world. You begin to take away the positives and negatives
from things then may even change your own beliefs in the process.
Thirdly, you make yourself vulnerable. Vulnerable in the sense that you admit to yourself
that you don’t know everything. You would also admit that there are possibilities that you may
have taken for granted and did not consider prior. Becoming vulnerable makes you emotionally
attached to the things you didn’t as you start to understand other world views.
RECEPTIVE 5
perspectives you realize potential mistakes and future mistakes which can help ease the stress of
Fifthly, being open minded can strengthen you overall as a person. Open-mindedness
provides a platform in which you can build upon by stacking ideas upon ideas. By doing this you
begin building a repertoire of information that you can later refer to whenever the situation is
right to do so.
Sixthly, you gain confidence. When you become open-minded you gain a keen sense of
self. You are not confined by your own beliefs or the beliefs of others. Instead you are free to
learn so much more which allows you to gain confidence in the process, strengthening your
belief in yourself.
Lastly, you’re being honest. Becoming open-minded means that you’re being honest
because you’re admitting that you aren’t all-knowing. This means that whatever that may seem
As much as there are benefits to being open-minded, there are also negatives according to
Novella (2004). He explains in a blog that being too open-minded can be dangerous. He starts off
by stating that “I listened patiently as the UFO enthusiast explained how humans were
transplanted to the earth from another world by our alien forebears”. Then he said, “Then how do
you explain the fact that humans share 98% of our DNA with chimpanzees, and a genetic code
with all life on earth?” he asked. Then the UFO enthusiast said “Well, I think you have to keep
an open mind”. At this point he made the case that just because you may be an open-minded
being does not mean that you can go around believing anything you hear if there’s evidence
RECEPTIVE 6
supporting the opposite. This is a negative of being open-minded because it may cause you to
Therefore, how should you go about being open-minded? To not only receive such
benefits but also negate the negatives? According to Hedges (2015), “To maintain an open mind,
we have to strategically work at it”. She explains that our brains are wired against us. In a sense
they are because humans have bias and unique preferences. So, whenever we encounter
situations that require us to decide or make a choice it is often easier for us to be ignorant to the
easiest answer which is what first pops into our minds. Instead to build open mindedness we
To conclude, to be open minded is to simply be open with your mindset as if you are a
new born but knowingly looking out for your wellbeing. There are many benefits to being open
minded including many mental health advantages. Although being open-minded may lead to
being open to many of the wrong things in life. To reap the rewards without the disadvantages
you must practice this mindset through experience. Further studies that pertain to exactly if being
open-minded is in fact an overall benefit would help determine whether this mindset should be
References
D. D. (2010, January 1). 7 benefits of being open-minded. Retrieved April 02, 2018, from
http://www.positivelypresent.com/2010/09/7-benefits-of-being-openminded.html
Hedges, K. (2015, December 17). How To Keep An Open Mind. Retrieved April 02, 2018, from
https://www.forbes.com/sites/work-in-progress/2015/12/17/how-to-keep-an-open-
mind/#28e2c6b8418e
Kettering, C. (2004, January 1). Authentic Happiness. Retrieved April 02, 2018, from
https://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/newsletters/authentichappinesscoaching/o
pen-mindedness
Novella, S. (2004, November). The Problem with being too Open Minded. Retrieved April 02,
Sturm, M. (2017, July 08). The Art and Science of Open-Mindedness – Personal Growth –
and-science-of-open-mindedness-5da63512da69