skept or science denial

Cognitive Bias

Systematic patterns of deviation from rationality in judgment, causing individuals to perceive reality inaccurately.

Confirmation Bias

The tendency to favor information that confirms preexisting beliefs.

Availability Heuristic

Overestimating the importance of information that is readily available.

Dunning-Kruger Effect

Overestimating one’s competence in a field with little knowledge.

Impact of Cognitive Biases on Science Denial

Cognitive biases make individuals resistant to contradictory evidence and often lead to reliance on anecdotal evidence.

Motivated Reasoning

The process of reasoning through a lens of personal beliefs and emotions, where conclusions are influenced by desires rather than evidence.

Selective Attention

Seeking information that supports one’s views.

Goal-Directed Processing

Rationalizing evidence to fit a desired outcome.

Emotions in Belief Formation

Emotions like fear, anger, or hope shape attitudes towards scientific topics.

Key Strategies for Talking to Science Deniers

Stay calm, find common ground, ask questions, and present evidence wisely.

Connecting Emotionally in Science Communication

Using emotional and personal connections to make scientific information more relatable.

Socratic Questioning

An effective technique for engaging in productive conversations without alienation.

Importance of Human Connection in Changing Minds

Conversations create opportunities to build trust and inspire hope to motivate action.

Cognitive Dissonance

The mental discomfort experienced when holding two or more contradictory beliefs, values, or attitudes.

Confirmation Bias in Research

In research, confirmation bias can lead scientists to favor results that support their hypotheses.

Overconfidence Bias

The tendency to overestimate one's own abilities or the accuracy of one's knowledge.

Hindsight Bias

The inclination to see events as having been predictable after they have already occurred.

Social Influences on Belief

Peer pressure and societal norms can heavily influence personal beliefs and attitudes.

Information Overload

A state of being overwhelmed by too much information, which can hinder decision-making.

Trust in Experts

Reliance on the knowledge and opinions of experts can be affected by cognitive biases.

Framing Effect

The way information is presented can significantly influence decisions and judgments.

Emotional Appeals in Persuasion

Using strong emotional messages to influence belief change or audience engagement.

Role of Narratives in Science Communication

Stories can be powerful tools to convey scientific concepts and engage audiences.