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MOTIVATED REASONING

4 important questions on MOTIVATED REASONING

CAN LACK OF INFORMATION BE SOLVED BY EDUCATION?

First response to unscientific attitudes is explication
– Repeat evidence in language that is as clear and digestible as possible.
– Assumes that evidence, data, and argument drive attitudes.

WHAT IS THE “KNOWLEDGE DEFICIT MODEL” OF SCIENCE COMMUNICATION?

• Dominant perspective up to a few years ago
• Assumptions:
– If the general public has more information about climate change, they will adopt views consistent with scientific experts and public support for scientific research in those areas will increase
– Effective science communication, therefore, should be concerned with increasing levels of scientific understanding among various lay publics.

When people process information: Different goals are activated

– Accuracy goals: trying to process information as dispassionate as possible
– Directional goals: trying to reach a desired conclusion

“Directionally” motivated reasoning:

– Seek out information that reinforces preferences (confirmation bias)
– Counterargue information that contradicts preferences (disconfirmation bias)
– Perceive proattitudinal information as more convincing than counterattitudinal information (prior attitude effect)