Science denial : why it happens and what to do about it / Gale M. Sinatra, Barbara K. Hofer.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Sinatra, Gale M., author.

Hofer, Barbara K., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Science--Social aspects--United States.

Science.

Science--Political aspects--United States.

Pseudoscience--United States.

Pseudoscience.

Disinformation--United States.

Disinformation.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xiii, 193 pages)

Place of Publication:

New York, NY : Oxford University Press, [2021]

Summary:

"How do individuals decide whether to accept human causes of climate change, vaccinate their children against childhood diseases, or practice social distancing during a pandemic? Democracies depend on educated citizens who can make informed decisions for the benefit of their health and well-being, as well as their communities, nations, and planet. 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. This book explains both the importance of science education and its limitations, shows how science communicators may inadvertently contribute to the problem, and explains how the internet and social media foster misinformation and disinformation. The authors focus on key psychological constructs such as reasoning biases, social identity, epistemic cognition, and emotions and attitudes that limit or facilitate 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."--Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Section I: Science Denial, Doubt, and Resistance

1. What Is the Problem and Why Does It Matter?

2. How Do We Make Sense of Science Claims Online?

3. What Role Can Science Education Play?

Section II: Five Explanations for Science Denial, Doubt, and Resistance

4. How Do Cognitive Biases Influence Reasoning?

5. How Do Individuals Think About Knowledge and Knowing?

6. What Motivates People to Question Science?

7. How Do Emotions and Attitudes Influence Science Understanding?

8. What Can We Do About Science Denial, Doubt, and Resistance?

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on online resource (viewed Dec 4, 2023), publisher-supplied metadata and other sources.

Other Format:

Print version: Sinatra, Gale M.. Science denial

ISBN:

9780190944704

0190944706

9780190944711

0190944714

9780190944698

0190944692

OCLC:

1238128738