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Knowledge overconfidence is associated with anti-consensus views on controversial scientific issues
Light, Nicholas Fernbach, Philip M. Rabb, Nathaniel Geana, Mugur V. Sloman, Steven A.
Light, Nicholas
Fernbach, Philip M.
Rabb, Nathaniel
Geana, Mugur V.
Sloman, Steven A.
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Abstract
Public attitudes that are in opposition to scientific consensus can be disastrous and include rejection of vaccines and opposition to climate change mitigation policies. Five studies examine the interrelationships between opposition to expert consensus on controversial scientific issues, how much people actually know about these issues, and how much they think they know. Across seven critical issues that enjoy substantial scientific consensus, as well as attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccines and mitigation measures like mask wearing and social distancing, results indicate that those with the highest levels of opposition have the lowest levels of objective knowledge but the highest levels of subjective knowledge. Implications for scientists, policymakers, and science communicators are discussed.
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2022-07-20
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American Association for the Advancement of Science
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Light, Nicholas et al. “Knowledge overconfidence is associated with anti-consensus views on controversial scientific issues.” Science advances vol. 8,29 (2022): eabo0038. doi:10.1126/sciadv.abo0038