Motivational and emotional impacts on public (mis)understanding of science

Abstract

The psychology of science resistance, doubt, and denial has never had clearer consequences than during the COVID-19 pandemic. This manuscript explores how misconceptions about climate change, vaccines, and COVID-19 cannot be understood apart from the conscious and unconscious motivations and emotions which contribute to public (mis)understanding of science. Drawing on research presented during my Presidential Address for Division 15 of the American Psychological Association in 2020, interventions designed to upend misconceptions and promote understanding and appreciation of science in formal and informal settings are reviewed and recommendations are proposed for promoting public understanding of science in the future.