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Communicating highly divergent levels of scientific and social consensus: its effects on people’s scientific beliefs

Authors :
Keiichi Kobayashi
Source :
Social Influence, Vol 14, Iss 3-4, Pp 65-76 (2019)
Publication Year :
2019
Publisher :
Taylor & Francis Group, 2019.

Abstract

This study examined the impact of presenting scientific and social consensus information together on people’s scientific beliefs when the two types of consensus information contradict each other. Japanese adults (N = 1,518) received information about high scientific consensus and low social consensus on the safety of genetically modified (GM) foods, information only about high scientific consensus, information only about low social consensus, or no consensus information. The presentation of only scientific or social consensus information had no effect on participants’ beliefs about the safety of GM foods, whereas the simultaneous presentation of scientific and social consensus information improved their beliefs in some degree. The effect of presenting scientific and social consensus information together was mediated by perceived scientific consensus.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
15534510 and 15534529
Volume :
14
Issue :
3-4
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Social Influence
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.24dbb4c14f934373b2d674b508f912f9
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1080/15534510.2019.1650105