When self-perceptions of expertise increase closed-minded cognition: The earned dogmatism effect

Although cultural values generally prescribe open-mindedness, open-minded cognition systematically varies across individuals and situations. According to the Earned Dogmatism Hypothesis, social norms dictate that experts are entitled to adopt a relatively dogmatic, closed-minded orientation. As a consequence, situations that engender self-perceptions of high expertise elicit a more closed-minded cognitive style. These predictions are confirmed in six experiments. •The Earned Dogmatism Hypothesis is supported in six experiments.•Social norms entitle experts to be more closed-minded or dogmatic.•Self-perception of high expertise increases closed-mindedness.