Science Denial Why It Happens And What To Do About It with Barbara Hofer and Gale Sinatra

How do individuals decide whether to accept human causes of climate change, vaccinate their children, or practice social distancing during a pandemic? Understanding key psychological explanations for science denial and doubt can help provide a means for improving scientific literacy and understanding—critically important at a time when denial has become deadly. In Science Denial: Why It Happens and What to Do About It, the authors identify the problem and why it matters and offer tools for addressing it.

The authors focus on key psychological issues such as social identity and reasoning biases that limit a public understanding of science and describe solutions for individuals, educators, science communicators, and policy makers. If you have ever wondered why science denial exists, want to know how to understand your own biases and those of others, and would like to address the problem, this book will provide the insights you are seeking.

Dr. Barbara Hofer is a Professor of Psychology Emerita at Middlebury College and a Fellow of the American Psychological Association. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Michigan from the Combined Program in Education and Psychology, with a certificate in Culture and Cognition, and an Ed.M. in Human Development from Harvard University.

Dr. Gale M. Sinatra is the Stephen H. Crocker Chair and Professor of Psychology and Education at the Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California. She received her B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

This talk took place on April 14, 2022, at 7:00 pm EDT

[jameter]

What a timely and easily understood presentation!

[Newtonip]

It's good to see examples of people who change their minds to remind us skeptics that it is possible.

I myself have changed my mind in things after discovering the skeptics online community. I use to be a 911 truther for instance.

[yetifeets]

Thank you for this, looking forward to getting the book. I have been encouraging science literacy in different settings - my book clubs, curriculum committees for life long learn programs, civic groups, etc. Every little bit helps. Critical thinking is more critical than ever.

[Stevenkjy]

Thankyou for this presentation, I was already sold, so suppose a case of confirmation bias… I would really appreciate a copy of the power point. There are some that I know who would greatly benefit from reading them.

[anlcsm]

I have wondered about this topic for the last couple of months. The internet seems perfect for spreading knowledge, but sadly it's used to spread religion and propaganda as well.

[jamespaterson]

I would love to know what is ment here by "other ways of knowing" and "should listen to"
Isn't that the woo-peddlers mantra?

[warrencolegrove]

I really appreciate this discussion I wonder what the solution is to combat religion and politics which are still going to be science biggest enemy for a long time to come

[buzz-es]

Einstein was ridiculed for going against Newtons "science" of the day, he later ridiculed Bohr for departing from the "science" of the day. If thousands of years of history teaches us anything it's that suppression of free speech and new ideas are detrimental to the progress of "science", no matter what the current paradigm is.