Self-serving beliefs about science: Science justifies my weaknesses (but not other people's).
Public Underst Sci
; : 9636625241261320, 2024 Jul 30.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39078125
ABSTRACT
This research explored the strategic beliefs that people have about science and the extent to which it can explain moral and immoral behaviors. Although people do not believe that science is able to explain certain aspects of their mind, they might nevertheless accept a scientific explanation for their immoral behaviors if that explanation is exculpatory. In a first study, participants reflected on moral and immoral deeds that they performed or that other people performed. Participants were somewhat skeptic that science can account for people's behavior-except for when they reflected on the wrongdoings that they committed. Two further studies suggest that strategic belief in science arises because it enables external attributions for the behavior, outside of the wrongdoers' control. Implications are discussed for science understanding and communication.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Language:
En
Journal:
Public Underst Sci
Journal subject:
CIENCIA
/
HISTORIA DA MEDICINA
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Portugal
Country of publication:
United kingdom