misbeliefs
Ideas incorrectly held
Misbeliefs are beliefs that are wrong or unfounded.
The word implies not just error but wrongness—beliefs that shouldn't be held: common misbeliefs about vaccines, misbeliefs that persist despite evidence.
Unlike disbelief (absence of belief), misbelief suggests believing the wrong thing rather than failing to believe the right one.
Oversimplified beliefs about groups
- prejudicesPreformed negative judgments
- biasesUnfair inclinations toward something
- racismPrejudice based on ethnicity
- sexismGender-based prejudice
discrimination · xenophobia · misinformation · propaganda · conspiracy theories · fake news · urban legends · rumors
Incorrect assumptions held true
- fallaciesInvalid logical arguments
- errorsUnintentional deviations from correctness
- delusionsFirmly held false beliefs
- illusionsDeceptive sensory experiences
biases · distortions · irrationality · wrong assumptions · faulty reasoning · misunderstandings · misperceptions · misjudgments
Firmly held false beliefs
- paranoiaIrrational persecution fears
- denialRefusal to accept reality
- projectionSomething that extends outward
- rationalizationInventing acceptable motives afterward
confabulation · false memories · hallucinations · psychosis · dissociation · distorted reality · irrational fears · phobias
Beliefs opposing official doctrine
- heterodoxyUnorthodox belief or opinion
- apostasyRenunciation of former beliefs
- unorthodoxyDeparture from accepted belief
- paganismNon-monotheistic religious practice
idolatry · blasphemy · infidelity · skepticism · doubt · questioning · syncretism · animism
stereotypes
Oversimplified beliefs about groups
- prejudicesPreformed negative judgments
- biasesUnfair inclinations toward something
- racismPrejudice based on ethnicity
sexism · discrimination · xenophobia · misinformation · propaganda · conspiracy theories · fake news · urban legends · rumors · disinformation
misconceptions
Incorrect assumptions held true
- fallaciesInvalid logical arguments
- errorsUnintentional deviations from correctness
- delusionsFirmly held false beliefs
illusions · biases · distortions · irrationality · wrong assumptions · faulty reasoning · misunderstandings · misperceptions · misjudgments · logical fallacies
delusions
Firmly held false beliefs
- paranoiaIrrational persecution fears
- denialRefusal to accept reality
- projectionSomething that extends outward
rationalization · confabulation · false memories · hallucinations · psychosis · dissociation · distorted reality · irrational fears · phobias · obsessions
heresies
Beliefs opposing official doctrine
- heterodoxyUnorthodox belief or opinion
- apostasyRenunciation of former beliefs
- unorthodoxyDeparture from accepted belief
paganism · idolatry · blasphemy · infidelity · skepticism · doubt · questioning · syncretism · animism · polytheism
misbeliefstruths
Accurate statements about reality
facts · knowledge · realities · certainties · actualities