7 Hidden Reasons People Refuse To Admit They’re Wrong, According To Experts

Relationship disagreements happen; it is a fact of life. Research suggests disagreements can be a healthy and beneficial aspect of relationships when managed effectively.

Whether the disagreement is large or small, some people can get caught in the mind trap of always having to be right and never admitting when they are wrong. Being wrong doesn't feel very good for anyone, but being the partner in a relationship who can never be right is no fun.

Maybe you are a person who feels your ideas and opinions can't be wrong, and you are wondering why people can't accept the fact. Whether you feel you are never wrong or you are on the receiving end of always being told you are wrong, understanding why some people can't admit they are wrong can help you seek solutions or establish boundaries to protect your mental well-being.

Here are the seven hidden reasons people refuse to admit they’re wrong, according to experts:

1. They're insecure and have a fear of consequences

insecure woman who refuses to admit she's wrong fizkes / Shutterstock

Fear is one of the most common reasons for people not able to admit they are wrong at the right time. The worry associated with harm to their reputation and credibility derails their awareness and acceptance of being incorrect.

— Sidhharrth S. Kumaar, Chief Happiness Officer, NumroVani

2. They're obsessed with their self-image

man who refuses to admit he's wrong over polishing his self-image MDV Edwards / Shutterstock

Sometimes people fall prey to unrealistic and impractical images of the self. This self-image is fake, and the cultivation of a fake image leads to them not being able to accept that they can be wrong

— Sidhharrth S. Kumaar

3. They can't see beyond themselves

man who refuses to admit he's wrong and can't see beyond himself Srdjan Randjelovic / Shutterstock

People who have trouble admitting they are wrong have difficulty seeing beyond themselves. Many are insecure, have a strong ego, and are afraid of looking stupid. Also, people who need help admitting they are wrong are not well grounded.

The Enneagram tells us that when we are stuck in our personality, we don't have full access to our inner wisdom and thus get stuck in fear. It is hard to admit we are wrong when we are stuck in fear.

— Roland Legge, Accredited Burnout Coach

4. They lack self-awareness

man who refuses to admit he's wrong with lack of self-awareness Pressmaster / Shutterstock

One of the most toxic reasons people can't admit they're wrong is due to a lack of self-awareness. People who lack self-awareness may have difficulty engaging in deep self-reflection. Without this introspection, they may not realize how their actions impact others, which can lead to a host of toxic behaviors.

Other toxic reasons people can't admit they're wrong can include shame and defensiveness, perfectionism, and conflict avoidance.

— Blair Nicole Nastasi, Self-Compassion Coach and Trauma Therapist

5. They're gaslighting you

man refusing to admit he's wrong by gaslighting woman simona pilolla 2 / Shutterstock

They're deliberately playing mind games to manipulate and control you.

— Gloria Brame, Therapist and best-selling author

Gaslighters often employ this tactic to sidestep responsibility for their actions, particularly when confronted with misdeeds. One study argues that by making the victim question their perceptions, the gaslighter undermines their ability to challenge the gaslighter's false narrative, allowing the gaslighter to evade accountability.

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6. They have a rigid ego

man who refuses to admit he's wrong with his rigid ego Studio Romantic / Shutterstock

People with rigid egos can't accept any information that contradicts their pre-existing beliefs.

— Gloria Brame

According to a 2018 study, psychological rigidity — often associated with a fragile ego — can lead individuals to refuse to admit they are wrong, directly threatening their sense of self and self-worth. This is because admitting mistakes can be perceived as a loss of identity, power, or status, which the ego resists.

7. They're narcissistic

man who refuses to admit he's wrong because he's a narcissist Ground Picture / Shutterstock

Their narcissism requires them to win every argument, regardless of the facts involved.

— Gloria Brame

The reasons someone can't admit they are wrong range from a simple lack of self-awareness to serious personality disorders. If you have a person in your life who always has to be right, you might be considering what to do about it.

Knowing why they do it is the first step in finding a solution. Whether the solution is to establish clear boundaries with the person or cut them out of your life completely, understanding what is driving their behavior will help.

For the person who is never wrong, consider doing a self-assessment to see if you might need to focus on self-work for a while, seek some counseling, or maybe you are always right. But be sure to check the facts first because the chances are you might be a little bit right and a little bit wrong.

Will Curtis is YourTango's expert editor. Will has over 14 years of experience as an editor covering relationships, spirituality, and human interest topics.