Master Class Session 1 on January 25: What is Science Denial?

Educators and members of the public alike are perplexed by students, family members, and neighbors who avoid vaccinations or believe climate change is a hoax. Democracies depend on educated citizens who can make informed decisions about scientific issues. The COVID-19 pandemic brought these issues into sharp relief. In Science Denial: Why It Happens and What to Do About It, Sinatra and Hofer examine the psychological factors contributing to science denial, doubt, and resistance. In the first Master Class of Spring 2023, Dr. Sinatra focused on the themes from her co-authored book including how psychological constructs such as identity, cognitive biases, epistemic cognition, motivated reasoning, and emotions and attitudes contribute to understanding and misunderstanding science. Dr. Sinatra provided research-based solutions to each challenge for individuals, educators, policy makers, and science communicators.