A new study has found that people are more likely to accept the possibility of ESP (extra-sensory perception) if it has popular support, regardless of the scientific viewpoint. Additionally, the researchers at the University of Maryland found that people are more likely to disregard science when there is low popular support for the possibility that ESP exists.
In the study, participants watched a videotape which was manipulated to show a person apparently demonstrating ESP. In a 2×2 experimental design, half of the subjects were told that public belief in ESP is high, the other half that public belief is low. Also, half of the participants were told that science rejects the possibility of ESP, while the other half were told that scientists recognize ESP as a possibility:
We found relatively strong evidence that individuals are more likely to accept paranormal claims as true when they believe such claims have popular support. This finding contributes to and extends research that has found significant effects of social influences on belief in the paranormal. We found no effects indicating that science rejecting a claim led individuals to be less likely to believe the claim. In fact, when participants believed that science rejected a claim, they moved in the direction of being more likely to accept the claim as true. This finding ran counter to our expectations but is consistent with findings that trust in science is decreasing. (Click for original PDF)
The researchers concluded that public distrust of science is growing, and the findings “may be due to individuals seeing paranormal belief as a matter of faith rather than evidence and therefore reacting against science.”
On the first point, I find it hard to agree that there is a growing distrust of science in general. I think the opposite in fact. Where there is distrust, I think, is in particular areas. Some of these are where orthodox science is seen to be supporting (or opposing) certain in-grained political or religious points of contention. And some are where orthodox science disparages people’s own viewpoints which they (the people) have arrived at via personal experience – one of which is supposed paranormal experiences such as ESP.
This is reflected in the second point made by the researchers, suggesting the results are due to paranormal belief being a “matter of faith”. I think the opposite – it’s actually through experience, not faith, that belief in ESP arises – and that’s why people react against ‘science’. Being in a minority, and told by an authority figure that your personal opinion (based on experience) is wrong, is generally only going to end up with one result.
One other issue that I think could have a huge bearing on this experiment is the ‘effect size’ of the faked ESP experiment. If it showed someone getting 7 out of 10 cards correct, it would be impressive but still allow for some personal skepticism due to (a) some incorrect guesses and (b) the small sample. If on the other hand, it was 50 out of 50 correct, then you’re not testing people about an issue of faith – it’s like they just witnessed a miracle and they could well be ‘converted’ to a particular viewpoint.
Which brings me to the final point – the irony. A study suggesting there’s a growing distrust of science, which conducts an experiment in which the subjects are lied to in order to judge their beliefs. You’re not helping….
