ABSTRACT

This study examined the impact of presenting scientific and social consensus information together on people’s scientific beliefs when the two types of consensus information contradict each other. Japanese adults (N = 1,518) received information about high scientific consensus and low social consensus on the safety of genetically modified (GM) foods, information only about high scientific consensus, information only about low social consensus, or no consensus information. The presentation of only scientific or social consensus information had no effect on participants’ beliefs about the safety of GM foods, whereas the simultaneous presentation of scientific and social consensus information improved their beliefs in some degree. The effect of presenting scientific and social consensus information together was mediated by perceived scientific consensus.

摘要

本研究探讨了当两种共识信息相互矛盾时，一起提供科学和社会共识信息对人们的科学信念的影响。日本大人（N= 1,518）收到了有关转基因（GM）食品安全性的高度科学共识和较低社会共识的信息，仅有关较高科学共识的信息，仅有关较低社会共识的信息或没有共识信息。仅呈现科学或社会共识信息对参与者对转基因食品安全性的看法没有影响，而同时呈现科学和社会共识信息则在一定程度上改善了他们的看法。一起呈现科学和社会共识信息的效果是由感知的科学共识所介导的。