Dire messages about global warming could backfire and actually increase skepticism about climate change among the general public, according to a new study by a University of California at Berkeley social psychologist.
The study, which will be published in the January issue of the journal Psychological Science, says warnings about the potentially devastating consequences of global warming “threaten people’s fundamental tendency to see the world as safe, stable and fair.”
Author Robb Willer said people might respond to such warnings by disputing evidence for global warming and by cutting back on their plans to reduce their carbon footprint.
Those who read the positive messages were more open to believing in the existence of global warming and had more faith in science’s ability to solve the problem, but those exposed to “doomsday” messages became more skeptical about climate change, he said.
it’s all about the science.
I have no respect for science anymore
In other news: people who make wild claims tend to lose credibility.
It’s not that disasters don’t happen. It’s not that people believe that life is “inherently safe”. On the contrary, people know that life is scary, although nobody wants to show their fear and thus look weak. But ask people, quietly, and yes, life is risky, life is scary.
I’d suggest that people are not impressed by scientists with doomsday scenarios because people are already too busy with dealing with risks and fears that have far more reality to them, stuff that is actually happening.
Another study designed to explain current real world happening with a “could”. This is just plain stupid. It has backfired and it backfired because more than 10 years ago they said it was all over in 10 years, yet nothing really changed. They keep moving the goal posts, people get bored and move on, thankfully. Oh and climategate. Heh
I thought we read a couple of days ago that not enough Social Sciences were involved in studying the social issues. It looks just the opposite when you start reading. Could it be possible that most of the alarmist crap is coming from the social sciences? Living in Berkley it is understandable thy think every thinks nature is kind and gentle and people are afraid to face reality. Berkley has been that way since the 60s. Its a Bay Area thing. The Land of Fruits, Nuts, and Flakes.
It actually makes sense. People are use to scaremongering today (if it bleeds, it leads), so a calm, rational approach would do more to convince people. But it gets to fewer people for the buck, so is rarely used.