Five studies examine opposition to expert consensus on controversial scientific issues. Topics include vaccines and climate change. Results show that "the people who disagree most with the scientific community know less about the relevant issues, but they think they know more."

It's important to note, investigators ruled out the possibility that the results were driven solely by demographic variables, including education level. Doing so did not meaningfully change any of the reported relationships in these studies.

"The findings suggest that focusing on changing individuals’ perceptions of their own knowledge may be a helpful first step" for countering anti-consensus views. For example, the topic of climate change with anti-consensus individuals is to begin conversations with values. "We must protect people and places from being harmed by the issues facing our environment." If we establish a common ground with our audience that places us on good footing from the start. 


Check out my new blog, Climate Stewardship. 

Let’s use the greenhouse gas phenomena in this example of scientific processes. (The following is provided by the UC Climate Stewards' education program.) How might you work the value Protection into a conversation:

• Audience Comment: It seems like we are having more heatwaves than we used to.
• Communicator Response: You're absolutely right. What you're noticing is something that public health officials are also paying close attention to in their efforts to protect vulnerable communities and conservationists are concerned about as they work to protect vulnerable ecosystems. The  increase in global temperatures is due to an increase in greenhouse gases.  What is the greenhouse gas effect? Let’s watch this together.