A new study investigates public skepticism and aggression directed at scientists, revealing critical insights from 750 participants. It highlights that political ideology is a key predictor of willingness to support scientists, with right-wing participants less likely to donate to supportive causes. The research employs a unique digital voodoo doll experiment, where participants express aggression toward a stereotypical scientist through virtual pin-sticking. Findings link high aggression tendencies to conspiracy beliefs, cynicism about science, and feelings of threat, indicating that distrustful attitudes pave the way for harassment of scientists.
The study highlights that attitudes of distrust and political ideology contribute significantly to the likelihood of aggression towards scientists and their research.
Researchers found that individuals with conspiracy mentalities and cynicism about science are more likely to express aggressive behaviors towards scientists in the context of harassment.
Collection
[
|
...
]