I don’t deny that people can often renounce important beliefs even if they didn’t have a “critical thinker” identity. But I do think that having such an identity will make it far more likely for them to renounce beliefs once they realize the beliefs don’t work, and also make them more likely to actively go out questioning their beliefs (as opposed to just renouncing incorrect ones once confronted).
I don’t deny that people can often renounce important beliefs even if they didn’t have a “critical thinker” identity. But I do think that having such an identity will make it far more likely for them to renounce beliefs once they realize the beliefs don’t work, and also make them more likely to actively go out questioning their beliefs (as opposed to just renouncing incorrect ones once confronted).