New study dispels myth blaming climate change doubt on ignorance

[MindMover]

A new study has dispelled the myth that the public are divided about climate change because they don't understand the science behind it.

And the Yale research published today reveals that if Americans knew more basic science and were more proficient in technical reasoning it would still result in a gap between public and scientific consensus.

Indeed, as members of the public become more science literate and numerate, the study found, individuals belonging to opposing cultural groups become even more divided on the risks that climate change poses.

Funded by the National Science Foundation, the study was conducted by researchers associated with the Cultural Cognition Project at Yale Law School and involved a nationally representative sample of 1500 U.S. adults.

"The aim of the study was to test two hypotheses," said Dan Kahan, Elizabeth K. Dollard Professor of Law and Professor of Psychology at Yale Law School and a member of the study team. "The first attributes political controversy over climate change to the public's limited ability to comprehend science, and the second, to opposing sets of cultural values. The findings supported the second hypothesis and not the first," he said.

http://www.clickgreen.org.uk/research/trends/123544-new-study-dispels-myth-blaming-climate-change-doubt-on-ignorance.html

[Tansy_Gold]

1. Not at all surprising

"...and the second, to opposing sets of cultural values. The findings supported the second hypothesis and not the first," he said.

The whole birther nonsense is exactly the same thing. It's not a matter of not having the facts; it's a matter of not wanting to accept those facts.

[MindMover]

3. SOOOO TRUE......it is not what is real, it is what is real to you....

[enough]

2. Apparently, people relate to the issue more like religion than science.

quote from the article:

"In effect," Kahan said, "ordinary members of the public credit or dismiss scientific information on disputed issues based on whether the information strengthens or weakens their ties to others who share their values. At least among ordinary members of the public, individuals with higher science comprehension are even better at fitting the evidence to their group commitments."

end quote


An interesting study. Thanks for posting.