Doublethinking and Its Impact on Social and Political Life

By Lujain Murad Saleh Al-Farza‘i

Doublethink is a term introduced by George Orwell in his novel 1984. It refers to a person’s ability to believe two contradictory truths at the same time, creating psychological conflicts and internal contradictions. Although the concept emerged in a dark fictional setting, it is far from pure fantasy. It filters into our daily lives in large and small ways, often without us noticing.

Politics and Doublethink

The novel employed this concept as a political tool, especially through the inverted language used by the totalitarian regime. In contemporary reality, several authorities practice similar methods through the media, which becomes a tool for shaping thought and creating deliberate confusion.

For example, some governments raise slogans promoting freedom of speech while, in practice, suppressing attempts to expose corruption or state crimes the moment they perceive them as a threat to their public image. In many states there is a clear gap between constitutional guarantees and actual security practices, leaving people caught in a state of doublethink toward authority.

This contradiction also appears in attitudes toward extremist groups or sadistic ideologies. People may sympathize with victims of Nazi crimes, yet at the same time support the oppressive policies carried out by the Israeli occupation against Palestinians. A similar paradox is found in groups that advocate peace and animal welfare while remaining completely silent about the massacres in Palestine.

Doublethink also appears in political groups that cloak themselves in religion while acting in ways that contradict its essence. In China, the Uyghur Muslim minority faces extensive violations, while the Hui Muslim minority is treated with more leniency. The media contributes to a misleading image that portrays the issue as religious, although its roots are political, creating a distorted understanding in public opinion.

Doublethink and Social Life

Doublethink produces a society riddled with contradictions and cognitive distortions. When these distortions are passed from one generation to another, they become an obstacle to societal development. This is strongly linked to double standards, especially in low-awareness Arab and Islamic environments.

A clear example is the attitude toward romantic relationships outside marriage. For men, such acts are often labeled as a harmless impulse or moment of folly, while for women they become a stain of shame that tarnishes the honor of the woman, her family, and her tribe, even though religious rules do not differentiate between them in judgment.

Another example appears in the upbringing of girls. A man may insist on female doctors or teachers for privacy, yet he may simultaneously deny women the freedom to choose their profession or even prohibit them from working altogether.

Cognitive Dissonance

Doublethink leads to what is known as cognitive dissonance, a theory proposed by psychologist and sociologist Leon Festinger. It describes a state of psychological tension that arises when behavior contradicts belief. The mind tries to resolve this tension by justifying the behavior or modifying the belief.

A child experiences cognitive dissonance when believing that their parents love them, then receiving treatment that contradicts that belief. Smokers know that smoking is harmful, yet continue the habit. Even tobacco companies print warnings on cigarette packs while continuing to produce, market, and profit from them.

This kind of contradiction can push individuals to justify even worse behavior. For example, researcher Philip Zimbardo offered justificatory explanations for the abusive actions of American soldiers in Abu Ghraib prison, relying on conclusions from the Stanford Prison Experiment, as though violence were an inevitable product of group identity rather than a personal choice. The same logic appears in extremist groups that use ideology to justify violence in the name of religion.

How Do We Confront Doublethink?

Prevention begins with awareness. Raising individuals on critical thinking, experience, verification of information, and avoiding blind indoctrination protects them from falling into internal contradictions. When a person finds themselves entangled in doublethink, solutions include reducing distractions, avoiding shallow content, and relying on credible sources.

Conclusion

Doublethink and cognitive dissonance are not simple contradictions, they are complex mental states that generate justifications for conflicting actions without recognizing the conflict. They can lead to psychological pressure and inner turmoil that extend into political, social, and religious life, and may even develop into psychological issues requiring treatment. Societies built on such cognitive distortions remain vulnerable to stagnation and misguided solutions.

Lujain Murad Saleh Al-Farza‘i, from Yemen, is interested in writing, reading, art, and social and political issues.

The opinions expressed in this article are solely the author’s and do not represent the views of Nisaba Media.