Sheryl Gottschall  © 2025

The subject of UFOs has fascinated and divided people for decades. While some are open to exploring the phenomenon, others dismiss it outright, often without engaging with the evidence or testimonies available. This kind of closed-mindedness is not unique to UFOs; it’s a psychological pattern that emerges whenever people are confronted with ideas that challenge their worldview, sense of certainty, or cultural conditioning. Understanding the psychology behind this resistance can help us foster more constructive conversations and encourage open inquiry into one of humanity’s most enduring mysteries.

Cognitive Dissonance – Oy Vey!

At its core, closed-mindedness on the UFO topic often stems from cognitive dissonance, the discomfort we feel when new information conflicts with what we already believe to be true. If someone has grown up trusting scientific authorities, government institutions, or mainstream media narratives that dismiss UFOs as fantasy, then credible sightings or declassified reports can trigger an internal clash. Instead of updating their worldview, many people resolve the tension by rejecting the new information outright. This psychological defense mechanism preserves a sense of stability but comes at the cost of curiosity and deeper understanding.

I’ve faced this situation many times when I’ve been asked to give a presentation to a library or social group. While speaking to certain individuals I know they are inwardly rolling their eyes while outwardly maintaining a strained smile, bless them, even though I’m not trying to convince anyone of anything, just sharing the facts.  But it’s been frustrating through the years and has certainly proved true the old adage, “you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink!”

Social Identity And Stigma – Red Pill Or Blue Pill?

Social identity and stigma play a powerful role when believing in or even entertaining UFO reports that can risk one’s reputation. People are often reluctant to be associated with ideas labeled as “fringe” because it could invite ridicule, damage credibility, or lead to social exclusion. If they go down the UFO path they can lose friends, suffer the ridicule of work mates, and lose social standing. They have to weigh up the competing emotional commitment of walking the UFO path against the fear of losing social connections. If they choose to deny the reality of the UFO phenomenon, this then leads to what psychologists call social conformity, where individuals align their views with what seems acceptable in their peer group rather than what the evidence suggests. In this sense, skepticism about UFOs is not always the product of rational thought, but of a desire to belong and avoid the discomfort of standing apart.

Fear Of The Unknown – How Mystery Triggers Anxiety and Doubt

Another factor is fear of the unknown. Accepting that UFOs could represent advanced technology, non-human intelligence, or phenomena beyond our comprehension can provoke existential anxiety. Such possibilities challenge not only scientific paradigms but also religious, cultural, and personal frameworks about humanity’s place in the universe. For some, it’s more comforting to dismiss the topic altogether than to confront the vast uncertainties it raises. In this way, skepticism becomes a form of psychological self-protection, shielding individuals from the profound implications of what UFOs might signify.

I found this to be true with certain work mates over the years. One woman said she knew that UFOs were probably a reality but she didn’t want to hear about it because it scared her. Another who had a close encounter would only talk about her initial sighting to a point but not dig any deeper into her experience because it frightened her and she, “didn’t want to go down that rabbit hole in case she discovered something dark”.

Authority Bias – Giving Our Power Away

Authority bias means we are more likely to accept something as true if it comes from someone we view as knowledgeable, powerful, or credible, even when the information might be incomplete or incorrect. This further reinforces closed-mindedness. People have a natural tendency to trust established authorities, whether they are academics, scientists, or government officials. When these institutions downplay or ridicule UFOs, the public often assumes the matter has already been settled. Yet history shows that scientific progress frequently involves questioning entrenched authorities and investigating anomalies seriously. From meteorites once dismissed as superstition to the eventual recognition of continental drift, countless examples illustrate how resistance to new ideas is part of the scientific journey.

In addition, confirmation bias keeps many people locked into preexisting beliefs. Once someone has concluded that UFOs are nonsense, they will unconsciously filter out evidence that suggests otherwise. Reports, testimonies, and official documents are either ignored, minimized, or explained away, while skeptical narratives are embraced as validation. This selective processing reinforces closed-mindedness and makes dialogue more difficult.

Effects Of The Media – Guilty As Charged

The role of media cannot be overlooked. For decades, UFOs have been portrayed in entertainment, journalism, and popular culture in ways that lean heavily toward sensationalism, exaggeration, or outright ridicule. From science fiction movies depicting alien invasions to tabloid headlines mocking sightings, the media has often framed UFOs as either fantastical entertainment or the domain of the credulous. This framing conditions audiences to approach the subject with skepticism or laughter, often before they have the chance to consider actual reports, government documents, or witness testimony.

Beyond entertainment, traditional news outlets have sometimes engaged in gate keeping, choosing which stories are worthy of coverage and which are ignored, especially if a report might challenge prevailing scientific or political narratives which editors might align with. This selective reporting shapes public perception, reinforcing the idea that UFOs are not credible and perpetuating a cycle of dismissal that can make serious inquiry socially risky or professionally dangerous. In essence, the media does not just report the UFO phenomenon; it actively influences how society interprets, values, or ignores it.

D-Notices In Media Reporting

In the past, when it comes to controversial topics like UFOs, some researchers and journalists have speculated that governments might use D-Notices (short for Defense Notice, or similar systems in other countries) to suppress sensitive sightings or whistleblower accounts. The D-Notice is a request issued by a government, usually to the press or media outlets, asking them not to publish or broadcast certain information for reasons of national security. This is especially true if they involve defense technology or intelligence operations.

Australia once maintained a D-Notice system, similar to the UK’s, to manage the release of sensitive information related to national security. Introduced in the early 1950s, the Australian Defense Press and Broadcasting Committee issued D-Notices to media outlets requesting them not to publish or broadcast certain information that could compromise national security.

While specific instances of D-Notices related to UFOs are not well-documented, the system’s existence suggests that sensitive information, including potential UFO sightings or encounters, may have been subject to suppression or controlled dissemination. In recent years, discussions have resurfaced about the reintroduction of a D-Notice-like system in Australia. In 2023, former Department of Home Affairs Secretary Mike Pezzullo advocated for the return of such a system, and the Australian Strategic Policy Institute has explored the concept of a reimagined D-Notice committee. These developments indicate a renewed interest in controlling the dissemination of sensitive information, including that related to UFOs. (1)

When there is a lack of the ability for media to report about UFOs which results in the suppression of the public to be informed of such things even further, it can make the phenomenon seem more mysterious, reinforcing skepticism.

In short, closed-mindedness about UFOs is less about the evidence itself and more about the psychological and social dynamics at play. By recognizing the patterns behind it we can approach the subject with greater empathy. Encouraging curiosity rather than ridicule allows for a healthier dialogue, where people can explore the phenomenon without fear of judgment. Openness does not mean blind belief, it simply means being willing to look at the data and listen to experiences with a mind that is not shut before the conversation even begins. The challenge is not just about whether UFOs exist, but whether we as a society can cultivate the intellectual humility to admit that we might not yet have all the answers.

REFERENCES:

1) Back To The Future: A New D-Notice System? https://www.uts.edu.au/news/2025/09/back-to-the-future-a-new-d-notice-system?