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Unquestioned Answers or Unanswered Questions: Beliefs About Science Guide Responses to Uncertainty in Climate Change Risk Communication

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  • Anna Rabinovich
  • Thomas A. Morton

Abstract

In two experimental studies we investigated the effect of beliefs about the nature and purpose of science (classical vs. Kuhnian models of science) on responses to uncertainty in scientific messages about climate change risk. The results revealed a significant interaction between both measured (Study 1) and manipulated (Study 2) beliefs about science and the level of communicated uncertainty on willingness to act in line with the message. Specifically, messages that communicated high uncertainty were more persuasive for participants who shared an understanding of science as debate than for those who believed that science is a search for absolute truth. In addition, participants who had a concept of science as debate were more motivated by higher (rather than lower) uncertainty in climate change messages. The results suggest that achieving alignment between the general public's beliefs about science and the style of the scientific messages is crucial for successful risk communication in science. Accordingly, rather than uncertainty always undermining the effectiveness of science communication, uncertainty can enhance message effects when it fits the audience's understanding of what science is.

Suggested Citation

  • Anna Rabinovich & Thomas A. Morton, 2012. "Unquestioned Answers or Unanswered Questions: Beliefs About Science Guide Responses to Uncertainty in Climate Change Risk Communication," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 32(6), pages 992-1002, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:riskan:v:32:y:2012:i:6:p:992-1002
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1539-6924.2012.01771.x
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    1. Florian C. Feucht & Kate Michaelson & Susan L. Hany & Lauren N. Maziarz & Nathan E. Ziegler, 2021. "Is the Earth Crying Wolf? Exploring Knowledge Source and Certainty in High School Students’ Analysis of Global Warming News," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-24, November.
    2. Rosalind Pidcock & Kate Heath & Lydia Messling & Susie Wang & Anna Pirani & Sarah Connors & Adam Corner & Christopher Shaw & Melissa Gomis, 2021. "Evaluating effective public engagement: local stories from a global network of IPCC scientists," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 168(3), pages 1-22, October.
    3. Derek J. Koehler & Gordon Pennycook, 2019. "How the public, and scientists, perceive advancement of knowledge from conflicting study results," Judgment and Decision Making, Society for Judgment and Decision Making, vol. 14(6), pages 671-682, November.
    4. repec:cup:judgdm:v:14:y:2019:i:6:p:671-682 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Carisa Bergner & Bruce A. Desmarais & John Hird, 2019. "Speaking truth in power: Scientific evidence as motivation for policy activism," Journal of Behavioral Public Administration, Center for Experimental and Behavioral Public Administration, vol. 2(1).
    6. Ante Ivčević & Isabel Estrela Rego & Rui Gaspar & Vania Statzu, 2021. "Telluric and Climate-Related Risk Awareness, and Risk Mitigation Strategies in the Azores Archipelago: First Steps for Building Societal Resilience," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-11, August.
    7. Jeryl L. Mumpower & Xinsheng Liu & Arnold Vedlitz, 2016. "Predictors of the perceived risk of climate change and preferred resource levels for climate change management programs," Journal of Risk Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 19(6), pages 798-809, June.

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