Three Reasons Why It's So Hard For The Public To Trust Research, COVID-19 or Anything Scientific
This year has been a roller coaster and nothing disrupted our lives more than the pandemic that is COVID-19. What is fascinating is our reactions as a society to this nearly unpredictable situation. One of the things the pandemic has brought to life is the relationship between citizens, their science community and the disconnect that makes it difficult for lawmakers to make decisions that are good for everyone.
We are quite used to the seamless functioning of life in the Western world that the effort that goes into developing useful technology often goes ignored. If the computer does not work we take it to the store, if the Wi-fi is down, we call IT. Everything is so functional that the science behind the technology is of no consequence and that means it is working as intended. Very few people want to know how their phones work, they just want to be able to order Uber Eats when they feel like it! There is a constant flow of scientific knowledge in everything we do, however, there is rarely any time to reflect on the amazing things we have accomplished through the STEM fields.
Science and technology are so intertwined in our everyday lives that it is a simple thing to ignore how much we rely on the expertise of scientists and engineers alike. I rarely worry about the intricate workings of my car or the amount of research that went into keeping me as safe as possible when behind the wheel. We simultaneously accept and reject information from the science community so quickly, it is a wonder that there is any trust on either side. In the quest to connect science and my everyday life, the things I have found most important are clarity of language, the complex nature of our belief systems and the idea that facts don't mean much in our vast world of information. [3]
Clarity In Language
The concept of arguing has always fascinated me. I learn things about myself as I express my thoughts and it often leads to reflection about whatever topic I have talked about. Every so often I find myself disagreeing with someone and half way through I realize that the entire debate was over the definition of a word. So often in real life we never take the time to clarify the words we are using or interpreting.
Science can be so specific and involved that the same word can mean different things depending on the branch of science you are studying. For example, the Canada.ca website states “Canada has been using data and modelling throughout COVID-19 to guide public health action.” The word modelling has been used many times throughout the pandemic to justify how we make decisions for the safety of the public. But how many of us really know what a model is and understand the precarious feat of data analysis that is at best useful and at worst, completely wrong?
Without being fully aware of the scientific jargon being used in everyday news , it can be difficult to make informed decisions and have a true perspective regarding the amount of effort that goes into scientific research. I know it may seem tedious but it always helps me to take the time out and understand what is being communicated in terms that I understand. I believe it would go a long way in connecting the science community and society as a whole.
Lack Of Trust:
“Really Sean? An alligator chased you on a Florida golf course?”
How often have you been the recipient of a story so ridiculous you couldn't help the twinge of doubt that crept into your mind? Science is like that except, instead of using words to convince you, they use numbers and data analysis in a creative dance. The problem is that no one else can hear the music but scientists. And in a world jam packed with information, we are presented with so many concepts, it is hard to know what is and isn’t accurate.
One of the main issues is the lack of trust in the media as a whole. Our involvement in an issue is also more likely to determine how much we trust a media source than the information itself. [1] It is particularly important for us to remember how our own perception can skew how much we trust the information that is presented to us.
In addition to perception, research shows that if a society does not share the values that generate science research, it is difficult to gain the public's trust. [1] Science can often seem like a secret world and , it is hard for the public to believe in something they have nothing in common with. However, we have to think of all the wonderful inventions that have been made possible by the creative endeavour of experimenting.
Although it would not be wise to blindly trust science, I recommend reflecting on all the things we use that started off as a simple experiment. Think of wi-fi or self driving cars and trust that although scientists aren't always accurate, they are constantly making extraordinary efforts to look for truths that will help us as a society.
Facts Do Not Matter All That Much
As an engineer, I tend to think that if only people saw the data, then they would believe in whatever concept science was trying to convey. However, nothing could be further from the truth. One of the main issues is the dynamic nature of science and the tendency for conclusions to shift when presented with more information. Essentially, science is not an exact science save for those few laws that have been established for decades. Data itself can be complex and tricky to interpret, so a truth today can deviate based on new findings and that makes it extra hard for people to see a fact as a fact. [4]
In addition, there are parts of our minds that are harder to conceptualize. For example, research shows that when an individual's deep-rooted belief is challenged, chemicals associated with fear are released. Conversely, when someone's opinions are confirmed, chemicals associated with pleasure are released. (Vogel) There is nothing wrong with this mental play. Clinging to one’s beliefs is a survival mechanism born from the idea that being decisive can save your life. [4]
In this sense, the factual nature of an idea is unimportant because your brain is going to ask you to cling to your ideas because your brain wants to essentially keep you safe. We cannot remove this tendency completely but being aware of it may help us understand why it can be so hard to accept a new idea. [4]
What Can We Do To Better Understand What We Read
Step 1: Re-evaluate beliefs when presented with more information.
Step 2:Understand why or how you came to a certain truth
Step 3: Confront the barriers to a new mind-set and evaluate the positive or negative effects of changing your mind.
Thanks for reading and watch out for my Youtube video on Modelling during COVID coming out on Friday!
Citation
Kurtulmus, F. (2018). Well-ordered science and public trust in science. Synthese, 1-18
Lee, T. (2010). Why They Don’t Trust the Media: An Examination of Factors Predicting Trust. American Behavioral Scientist, 54(1), 8-21.
Master, Z., & Resnik, D. (2013). Hype and Public Trust in Science. Science and Engineering Ethics, 19(2), 321-335.
Vogel, L. (2017). Facts not enough to change minds about health myths. Canadian Medical Association. Journal, 189(46), E1430.