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Sensationalism and denialism in science media dsl 100

How is science portrayed to the public?

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Scientific Literacy o We began this term with a discussion about

scientific literacy and why it’s important to society

o For our last week, we are going to cover two areas in which science and the public intersect: o Portrayal of scientific findings in the media o Scientific denial

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Sensationalism in the media o Sensationalism definition:

o Extraordinary claims are made about scientific findings or the interpretations of scientific findings

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Examples Journal article title

News article title

5 washingtonpost.com/ From Perkins, 2007

Examples Journal article title

News article title

6 badgerherald.com/  From Perkins, 2007

Examples Journal article title

News article title

7 content.time.com/ From Perkins, 2007

Why might these articles be problematic? o  In this example, these news articles are

discussing homosexuality in sheep o But, the original article was focused on the biology

of the brains in male-male behavior of sheep o  Other news articles inaccurately portrayed

homosexuality as an illness o One article even suggested that the results from

the original study could help scientists to “cure” homosexuality

o These articles assigned a cultural value that the original article did not have

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So, why is sensationalism bad? o In biomedical research, sensationalism can:

o Lead to marginalization of a minority group (as seen in the previous example)

o False hopes with regards to health o Unnecessary fears with regards to health o Can also lead to desensitization with respect to

real scientific breakthroughs o If every article boasts miracle cures or dire risks, the

public’s interest may begin to wane

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Another example o  In 1995, it was reported that those taking a

certain type of medication for hypertension were at increased risk for heart attack o Members of the public panicked o As a result, many stopped taking their medication

without consulting their doctor o Others flooded their doctor’s offices for advice o Example news article title:

o Drug for Blood Pressure Linked to Heart attacks: Researchers fear 6 million imperiled

o The findings of the original study were even considered to be controversial within the scientific community, and most medical doctor’s did not recommend discontinuing medication 10

Why sensationalize? o In week one, we discussed the uncertainty

associated with scientific research o To scientists, the portrayal of research to the

public as fact is a step too far o To the public, scientific studies may seem

tedious or wishy-washy o Thus, journalists have a fine line to tread

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Why sensationalize? o Both journalists and scientists may benefit

from sensationalism in the press o Journalists may write a more compelling story

or one which will attract more readers o Scientists may wish to overturn scientific

dogma with their findings o This can lead to more funding to do further research

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Solutions o Better training for science writers and

scientists o Some science writers have science degrees,

but may not have training in scientific communication with the public

o While many scientists are well-trained to perform science, they are not trained to communicate with the general public

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Train scientists to communicate more like these guys… Carl Sagan Neil deGrasse Tyson

14 **Don’t know who they are? Watch one of their television programs or read one of their books! They are great!

Other solutions o Right now, neither scientist nor journalist are

held accountable when sensationalism occurs o Perhaps a watchdog group could monitor the

news and inform the public when sensationalism has occurred

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Science denial

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Scientific literacy o There are hot-button issues, in which broad

swaths of the population deny the scientific consensus o Examples: climate change, evolution,

vaccination and autism risk, safety of genetically modified foods, hydraulic fracking and environmental risk

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Denialism o Denialism definition:

o Rejection of evidence to avoid unpleasant feelings or truths

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Denialism tactics o  Conspiracy theories

o Stating that it is a conspiracy is responsible for scientific findings, and the findings aren’t real

o  Cherry pick data o Only choose scientific studies that support the

denialist view point o This may involve ignoring a large body of evidence

in which scientific consensus has been built o  Impossible expectations for research

o Hold the oppositions research findings to an impossible standard of evidence

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Other tactics o  Fake experts

o  Employ scientists or other authority figures to highlight research that is inconsistent with the scientific consensus

o  Sometimes these experts are motivated by ideology or even monetary gain

o  Misrepresent the opposition o  Appeal to emotions and core values of the audience o  Employ logical fallacies to attack the opposition on a

personal level o  Exploit skepticism

o  Remember, that scientists do not simply accept assertions as fact; we evaluate data and the quality of data

o  We are willing to change our minds if new data challenge the dogma

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Role of the media o Science journalism also plays a role

o Journalists often portray the two sides of controversy as if there is legitimate controversy

o By giving equal time, the public believes that controversy exists within the scientific community

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How does the public respond? o Often the public views these issues as wars

in which a side is chosen o Group affinities and cultural groups play a role

in the decisions that the public makes about these controversies

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Solutions? o Provide objective resources for the public to

access about these hot-button issues o It may prove difficult to motivate the public to

access these resources o Broadly, improve literacy about the scientific

method and interpretation of scientific data o I hope this class helped!

o What do you think?

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Sensationalism and Denialism: Readings and Multimedia o Read: Let’s talk about sex o Read: Sensationalism in the media o Read: Science denial and the science

classroom o http://environment.yale.edu/profile/

leiserowitz/multimedia/anthony-leiserowitz- on-global-warmings-six-americas/

o http://www.wnyc.org/story/skeptics-guide- health-news-and-diet-fads/

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