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Understanding (and responding to) scepticism about science (2015-2017)

Abstract

Many people hold beliefs that defy scientific consensus. A standard response when a scientist faces resistance to an evidence-based message is to keep explaining the evidence as clearly and thoroughly as possible (explication). We argue that explication fails because people are motivated to hold on to nonscientific beliefs for reasons other than the motivation to find the truth. We propose qualitative and quantitative techniques to identify these hidden motivations. We then use these insights to test psychologically tailored interventions designed to interrupt or circumnavigate these underlying motives, with the goal of promoting environmental responsibility and population health.

Experts

Professor Matthew Hornsey

Professor and ARC Laureate Fellow
School of Business
Faculty of Business, Economics and Law
Affiliate of Centre for Research in Social Psychology (CRiSP)
Centre for Research in Social Psychology
Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences
Discipline Convenor, Management of UQ Business School
School of Business
Faculty of Business, Economics and Law
Matthew Hornsey
Matthew Hornsey

Professor Kelly Fielding

Affiliate of Centre for Research in Social Psychology (CRiSP)
Centre for Research in Social Psychology
Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences
Affiliate of Social Identity and Groups Network (SIGN) Research Centre
Social Identity and Groups Network
Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences
Affiliate of Centre for Marine Science
Centre for Marine Science
Faculty of Science
Affiliate of Centre for Communication and Social Change
Centre for Communication and Social Change
Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
Professor
School of Communication and Arts
Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
Affiliate of Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Science
Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences
Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences
Kelly Fielding
Kelly Fielding