Science denial: Why it happens and what to do about it

ABSTRACT

Science denial, doubt, and resistance have been persistent and growing problems in the United States, as well as in other countries. At no time, however, have the consequences been as deadly as in 2020, with a global pandemic ravaging the world's population, spreading rapidly when unchecked, fueled by denial of its lethality and the steps needed to contain it. At the same time, the effects of climate change continue unabated, threatening life on this planet. The scientific and medical community warned that the virus was dangerous and that unprecedent steps were immediately necessary to limit the potential catastrophic impact. The United States was slow to act, however, in terms of testing, contact tracing, travel limitations, and orders to stay at home. As the virus wreaks havoc on the world and individuals both deny its existence and avoid preventative measures, we are increasingly aware of the need to explore and interpret the conditions for science denial, doubt, and resistance. This book sheds light on key psychological reasons that have been the subject of the research independently and collaboratively over the years cognitive biases, evaluating science claims, science knowledge, motivated reasoning, social identity, beliefs about knowledge and science, and the effect of attitudes and emotions. It also offers action steps for individuals, educators, science communicators, and policy makers to support public understanding of science. The idea for this book came from individual and collaborative work over two decades. Many long conversations at conferences and meetings about public understanding and misunderstanding of science, coupled with complementary research agendas in the psychology of thinking and learning about science, leads to collaborate on an article for Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, entitled "Public Understanding of Science Policy and Educational Implications". (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)