Blog Log #1 – Why Don’t We Believe Science?

Read the article here

As I was looking over different essays, I was searching specifically for something relating to science or psychology. To my delight, this article fell under both categories. I was also very interested in discovering whether there was an actual “science” behind why people are less inclined to believe scientific facts. Turns out, there is and it’s much more complex than I would have originally thought. The article establishes that the main reason why we don’t agree or identify with certain scientific information is because we are biased by our own personal beliefs and/or experiences. When this bias occurs, many people will stand strongly behind what they believe is a fact rather than what actually is. I found the essay very descriptive and it drew conclusions that I’d never thought of before regarding this subject. I also liked the comparisons that they made to support their information; for example, “We apply fight-or-flight reflexes not only to predators but to data itself,” as well as “Giving ideologues scientific data that’s relevant to their beliefs is like unleashing them in the motivated-reasoning equivalent of a candy store.” On social media, people post lots of different scientific information that isn’t completely true, and is often false. Many realize that the facts, statements, or stories are fake, but then they refuse to trust any other information they may receive via social media. The problem with that is that many people use social media to spread awareness for different subjects, but if no one believes these issues are true, then they won’t be spread. People refuse (sometimes unknowingly) to keep their minds open when they are told or shown something, and this affects how people take in various forms of information.

One thought on “Blog Log #1 – Why Don’t We Believe Science?

  1. very interesting -“we have a fight or flight reaction to data” … we’re doomed – thoughtful reflection

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