Researchers who say their knowledge is limited seem more reliable. An international study in which the University of Vienna took part now shows that this makes people more likely to follow their scientific recommendations.
The study surveyed approximately 2,000 participants in the US and involved them in online experiments. People were presented with scientific texts that were either written with ‘high intellectual modesty’, ‘low intellectual modesty’, or had no specific style.
‘High intellectual humility’ means that gaps in knowledge have been recognized. The writers listened to the contributions of others and reflected on their own findings in light of this. Psychologist Nina Vaupotič from the University of Vienna said that everyone who read such a text rated the scientists as more reliable. They were then more willing to follow the recommendations or seek more information.
What else has a positive effect?
The experiments involved texts from the disciplines of medicine, psychology and climate science. In addition, other approaches were tested on how to increase researcher reliability.
One result: It was not very helpful to remind participants that science is always limited in its methods and results. This had a slightly negative effect on belief in a particular research topic. At the same time, however, it can increase confidence in the person, Vaupotič emphasizes.
Overall, an understanding of “not knowing” can stimulate high quality research. The study was published in the journal Nature Human Behavior.
Source: Krone
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