Drawing Conclusions from Politically Charged Information: A Case of Scientific Understanding or Identity Protection?

Abstract

Previously conducted research suggest that people may use their cognitive capacity in a biased manner when they process politically relevant information. This study let 280 US adults draw inferences based on statistics concerning two politically charged questions; gun control and climate change. To see if the expected political biases occur, the statistical content presented was manipulated to either support or oppose the “official” view of the participants’ own party. Further, the potential moderating effects of numeracy and epistemological curiosity was investigated. Contrary to predictions, no political bias could be found among participants. The potential explanations for the lack of results supporting the study’s hypotheses, as well as concrete suggestions for future research in the field, is given.