Why do some people resist change while others embrace it?

[debm55]

[Meadowoak]

1. Some people fear change, fear that they will lose their 'place'

In society, while others welcome change, in hope of improving society.

[EYESORE 9001]

2. Fear vs optimism

That’s just off the top of my head

[treestar]

3. people havvpy with the status quo

don't want it to change.

The older people get, the harder it is to change, and the reason for the change starts to seem less compelling.

The right of the present time actually does want a lot of change - backward change, but change.

[SYFROYH]

4. Usually it's because of self-interest, broadly defined.

Some people benefit more from change than others.

[debm55]

5. I was thinking of progressive change and the people who are against it. They like how things are now

[SYFROYH]

7. I think more progressive changes are supported because of self-interest, too.

Perhaps not as direct those who seek the status quo, but self-interest nevertheless.

For example, I support social safety nets for all because I will eventually benefit from them as well. It's also nice to help others.

[uponit7771]

6. Conservatives resist change because they believe they benefit from status quo

[grumpyduck]

8. My two-cents' worth...

It probably also has to do with having the ability to think or not having that ability.

Accepting change requires a certain amount of thinking about what and why, and comparing the old with the new, and asking "what if." IMHO, many people who resist change either are not able to think about it or are just too lazy to do so.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

9. I think it's part of our evolutionary heritage, just like I think re: most 'things' about humanity

Change represents uncertainty. A large % of the population are born thinking that it's best to adhere to old (and hence presumably 'proven', that's why we still know about them) ways.

That's why they cling to things like the 'wisdom of The Founders' and '2000 year old Holy Books', and '1950's Life As Depicted in Sitcoms' and the like.

This tendency exists in a certain % of people regardless of the period in history, the culture, the race, the society, etc.

It's a survival strategy built into our genome.

So is racism and bigotry.

[debm55]

10. But don't their own eyes tell them it's wrong, unfair and unjust? Or don't they care?

[mathematic]

11. Is this another post about AI, GMOs, nuclear energy, or taxing wealthy homeowners?

Periodically, there are self-congratulatory posts on DU that highlight the nobility of liberals or people on the left to boldly and courageously embrace change while decrying the moral failing of conservatives to do similarly.

The reality is that people of all political ideologies embrace change that moves society towards their ideology or personal gain and rejects change that does the opposite. Roe was law for 50 years and conservatives worked tirelessly to change that. Liberals strongly resisted it but ultimately failed. Those same conservatives supported workplace discrimination against women and those same liberals opposed it. This too has been a struggle for change over the last 50 years but the opposite people were supporting change.

Now there are plenty of people that are "set in their ways". They've lived in the same place for decades, they eat the same food every week, they only watch Friends reruns, they always vote or never vote, and always for the same party. Why do these people exist? Plenty of reasons but trying to tie this to current American politics, which are rife with conservative activists agitating for dramatic change, seems off the mark.

[debm55]

12. Long answer short--why do people vote against their best interests.

[MuseRider]

13. What ever happened to

empathy?

It just blows my mind that there are so many people who could care less about anyone else or their lives.

[Caliman73]

14. Change can be difficult.

Some of the most significant stressors involve change. Changing jobs, a change in relationship status (both divorce and marriage). It depends, as others have alluded to, on a person's mindset and worldview. People who are more likely to embrace change, are people see change as a challenge and opportunity. People who may be more adventurous. People who are more likely to resist change tend to require consistency for optimal functioning. They see change as a negative. As some people have said, some people see change as a challenge to the identity whereas others see it as an opportunity for growth.