Belief vs. Conviction: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A belief is an acceptance that something exists or is true, especially without proof, while conviction is a firmly held belief or opinion.
Key Differences
Belief refers to the acceptance of a statement or a proposition as true, often without demanding extensive evidence. Conviction, on the other hand, denotes a strong, unwavering belief, held with great confidence and often backed by personal experience or substantial evidence.
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Dec 06, 2023
A belief can be more flexible and open to change upon receiving new information or insights. Conviction, in contrast, implies a firmer stance and is less likely to be swayed by new information or differing opinions.
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Dec 06, 2023
Beliefs can be held about a wide range of subjects, from casual opinions to deep philosophical ideas. Convictions are typically deeper, reflecting core values or principles that are integral to a person's identity and actions.
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Beliefs often form the basis of one's worldview and can be influenced by culture, upbringing, and personal experiences. Convictions are usually more deeply rooted, often tied to strong emotional or ethical commitments.
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Dec 06, 2023
In a belief, the level of certainty may vary, and it might not necessarily provoke action. Convictions are often accompanied by a strong sense of certainty and are more likely to motivate decisive action or influence behavior.
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Dec 06, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Acceptance of truth without full evidence
Firmly held belief or opinion
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Certainty Level
Can vary from uncertain to fairly certain
Generally held with strong certainty
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Flexibility
More flexible, can change with new information
Less flexible, held with strong confidence
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Influence on Actions
May or may not strongly influence actions
Strongly motivates or influences actions
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Emotional Intensity
Can be emotionally neutral
Often tied to deep emotional commitment
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Belief and Conviction Definitions
Belief
Belief is a personal acceptance of a proposition.
Her belief in hard work led to success.
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Conviction
Conviction is a strong persuasion or belief.
He spoke with conviction about justice.
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Belief
Belief is the acceptance of something as true or real.
His belief in aliens never wavered.
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Conviction
Conviction often motivates action and steadfastness.
Their conviction led them to start a charity.
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Belief
Belief is an acceptance that a statement is true or that something exists.
His belief in the company's vision was inspiring.
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Conviction
Conviction is a firmly held belief or opinion.
Her conviction about environmental conservation was admirable.
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Belief
Belief is a trust, faith, or confidence in someone or something.
Her belief in her team's ability was unwavering.
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Dec 06, 2023
Conviction
Conviction is a fixed or firm belief.
His conviction in his principles never faltered.
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Dec 06, 2023
Belief
Belief is an opinion or conviction held with confidence.
The scientist's belief in the theory was evident.
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Dec 06, 2023
Conviction
Conviction implies certainty and a lack of doubt.
She expressed her conviction that education can change lives.
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Dec 06, 2023
Belief
The mental act, condition, or habit of placing trust or confidence in another
My belief in you is as strong as ever.
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Oct 19, 2023
Conviction
The judgment of a jury or judge that a person is guilty of a crime as charged.
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Belief
Mental acceptance of and conviction in the truth, actuality, or validity of something
His explanation of what happened defies belief.
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Conviction
The state of being found or proved guilty
Evidence that led to the suspect's conviction.
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Oct 19, 2023
Belief
Something believed or accepted as true, especially a particular tenet or a body of tenets accepted by a group of persons.
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Belief
Mental acceptance of a claim as true.
It's my belief that the thief is somebody known to us.
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Conviction
The state or appearance of being convinced
She spoke with real conviction on the matter.
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Oct 19, 2023
Belief
Faith or trust in the reality of something; often based upon one's own reasoning, trust in a claim, desire of actuality, and/or evidence considered.
My belief is that there is a bear in the woods. Bill said he saw one.
Based on this data, it is our belief that X does not occur.
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Oct 19, 2023
Belief
(countable) Something believed.
The ancient people have a belief in many deities.
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Belief
(uncountable) The quality or state of believing.
My belief that it will rain tomorrow is strong.
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Belief
(uncountable) Religious faith.
She often said it was her belief that carried her through the hard times.
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Oct 19, 2023
Belief
(in the plural) One's religious or moral convictions.
I can't do that. It's against my beliefs.
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Belief
Assent to a proposition or affirmation, or the acceptance of a fact, opinion, or assertion as real or true, without immediate personal knowledge; reliance upon word or testimony; partial or full assurance without positive knowledge or absolute certainty; persuasion; conviction; confidence; as, belief of a witness; the belief of our senses.
Belief admits of all degrees, from the slightest suspicion to the fullest assurance.
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Oct 19, 2023
Conviction
The act of convicting; the act of proving, finding, or adjudging, guilty of an offense.
The greater certainty of conviction and the greater certainty of punishment.
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Belief
A persuasion of the truths of religion; faith.
No man can attain [to] belief by the bare contemplation of heaven and earth.
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Oct 19, 2023
Conviction
A judgment of condemnation entered by a court having jurisdiction; the act or process of finding guilty, or the state of being found guilty of any crime by a legal tribunal.
Conviction may accrue two ways.
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Belief
The thing believed; the object of belief.
Superstitious prophecies are not only the belief of fools, but the talk sometimes of wise men.
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Conviction
The act of convincing of error, or of compelling the admission of a truth; confutation.
For all his tedious talk is but vain boast,Or subtle shifts conviction to evade.
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Belief
A tenet, or the body of tenets, held by the advocates of any class of views; doctrine; creed.
In the heat of persecution to which Christian belief was subject upon its first promulgation.
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Oct 19, 2023
Conviction
The state of being convinced or convicted; strong persuasion or belief; especially, the state of being convicted of sin, or by one's conscience.
To call good evil, and evil good, against the conviction of their own consciences.
And did you presently fall under the power of this conviction?
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Oct 19, 2023
Conviction
An unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence
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Oct 19, 2023
Belief
A vague idea in which some confidence is placed;
His impression of her was favorable
What are your feelings about the crisis?
It strengthened my belief in his sincerity
I had a feeling that she was lying
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Oct 19, 2023
Conviction
(criminal law) a final judgment of guilty in a criminal case and the punishment that is imposed;
The conviction came as no surprise
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can a person's beliefs change?
Yes, beliefs can change with new information or experiences.
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Dec 06, 2023
Do beliefs influence behavior?
Beliefs can influence behavior, but not as strongly as convictions.
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Can beliefs exist without evidence?
Yes, beliefs often exist without needing full evidence.
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Can a belief become a conviction?
Yes, a belief can deepen into a conviction over time.
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Are convictions always based on facts?
Convictions may be based on facts, strong evidence, or deep personal values.
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Are convictions easy to change?
Convictions are usually not easily changed, as they are deeply held.
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Are convictions linked to actions?
Yes, convictions often strongly motivate or guide actions.
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Are religious beliefs the same as personal beliefs?
Religious beliefs are a subset of personal beliefs, focusing on matters of spirituality and faith.
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What is the difference between a belief and an opinion?
A belief is a deeper conviction in something's truth, while an opinion is a personal view or preference that may not be as strongly held.
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In legal terms, what does a criminal conviction mean?
A criminal conviction is a legal judgment that declares someone guilty of committing a crime.
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How does conviction relate to commitment?
Conviction often drives commitment, as individuals with strong convictions are more likely to stay dedicated to their goals.
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Can beliefs be harmful?
Yes, beliefs can be harmful when they lead to prejudice, discrimination, or the rejection of evidence-based information.
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Can convictions be based on emotions?
Yes, convictions can be influenced by emotions, especially when they are deeply ingrained.
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Dec 06, 2023
Can convictions change over time?
Convictions can evolve or change, but they are typically more resistant to change than ordinary beliefs.
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Dec 06, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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