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Science Curiosity and Political Information Processing

August 1, 2016 | Media and Technology, Public Programs, Exhibitions, Informal/Formal Connections
This paper describes evidence suggesting that science curiosity counteracts politically biased information processing. This finding is in tension with two bodies of research. The first casts doubt on the existence of “curiosity” as a measurable disposition. The other suggests that individual differences in cognition related to science comprehension - of which science curiosity, if it exists, would presumably be one - do not mitigate politically biased information processing but instead aggravate it. The paper describes the scale-development strategy employed to overcome the problems associated with measuring science curiosity. It also reports data, observational and experimental, showing that science curiosity promotes open-minded engagement with information that is contrary to individuals’ political predispositions. The paper concludes by identifying a series of concrete research questions posed by these results.

TEAM MEMBERS

  • Dan Kahan
    Author
    Yale University
  • Asheley Landrum
    Author
    Annenberg Public Policy Center
  • Katie Carpenter
    Author
    Yale University
  • Laura Helft
    Author
    Howard Hughes Medical Institute
  • Kathleen Hall Jamieson
    Author
    University of Pennsylvania
  • Citation

    Publication Name: Yale Law & Economics Research Paper No. 561
    Discipline: General STEM | History/policy/law | Social science and psychology
    Audience: Administration/Leadership/Policymakers | General Public | Scientists
    Environment Type: Media and Technology | Public Programs | Exhibitions | Informal/Formal Connections

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