Introduction: This study analyzed the role of malleable beliefs and hope in the willingness to support controversial concessions of the peace agreement with FARC-EP, in a context of political polarization. Method: Non-experimental study with 562 citizens. Results: The results confirm that hope for peace arises from a general perception of the world as changing, and, therefore, people who believe that the Colombian conflict with FARC-EP can change develop a hopeful attitude, presenting more support for concessions on the Special Justice for Peace (JEP), and the participation of ex-guerrillas in politics. Likewise, results showed that people with a left-leaning political orientation, and those that identified as centrist, are more supportive of the concessions of the agreement, compared to people with right-wing political leanings. Conclusions: The study reflects that political polarization constitutes an obstacle to the development of malleable beliefs and hopeful attitudes that favor the de-escalation of the conflict. The practical implications are presented on the formation of attitudes that favor constructive solutions to the conflict, and on the responsibility of political actors in the formation of rigid beliefs that constitute barriers to peace.

Keywords:
Concessions for peace, malleable beliefs, fixed beliefs, hope, social and political polarization, political orientation

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