Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 17, 2025
06:42
Continuous Theta Burst Stimulation of the Posterior Medial Frontal Cortex to Experimentally Reduce Ideological Threat Responses
Published on: September 28, 2018
12.0K
Do as the Romans do: On the authoritarian roots of pseudoscience
Angelo Fasce1, Jesús Adrián-Ventura2, Diego Avendaño3
1University of Valencia, Spain.
Public Understanding of Science (Bristol, England)
|June 30, 2020
Summary
Authoritarianism and social axioms explain why some individuals accept pseudoscience. This research explores the link between right-wing authoritarianism, social axioms, and pseudoscientific beliefs, impacting scientific information acceptance.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Science Communication
Background:
- Group dynamics influence the spread of misconceptions.
- Identity-protective attitudes increase polarization against scientific information.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test a mediational model between right-wing authoritarianism and pseudoscientific beliefs.
- To examine the role of social axioms in this relationship.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review on the socio-political background of pseudoscientific beliefs.
- Two empirical studies with a total of 2286 participants (n = 1189 and n = 1097).
- Statistical analysis to test intercorrelations and mediation hypotheses.
Main Results:
- Confirmed intercorrelation between pseudoscientific beliefs, authoritarianism, and social axioms (reward for application, religiosity, fate control).
- Authoritarianism and social axioms were found to fully explain right-wing individuals' proneness to pseudoscience.
- The association between pseudoscience and authoritarianism was partially mediated by social axioms.
Conclusions:
- Social axioms partially mediate the relationship between authoritarianism and pseudoscientific beliefs.
- Findings have implications for understanding group polarization and improving science communication.
- Results are discussed concerning paranormal and conspiracy beliefs.
Related Concept Videos
02:20Milgram's Obedience to Authority
7.1K
Obedience to authority is classically demonstrated in a more famous series of social psychology experiments performed by Stanley Milgram. He was a social psychology professor at Yale who was influenced by the trial of Adolf Eichmann, a Nazi war criminal. Eichmann’s defense for the atrocities he committed was that he was “just following orders.”
7.1K
02:40The Scientific Method
64.5K
Research is what makes the difference between facts and opinions. Facts are observable realities, and opinions are personal judgments, conclusions, or attitudes that may or may not be accurate. In the scientific community, facts can be established only using evidence collected through empirical research.
64.5K
01:32The Scientific Method
254.9K
The scientific method is a detailed, empirical problem-solving process used by biologists and other scientists. This iterative approach involves formulating a question based on observation, developing a testable potential explanation for the observation (called a hypothesis), making and testing predictions based on the hypothesis, and using the findings to create new hypotheses and predictions.
Generally, predictions are tested using carefully-designed experiments. Based on the outcome of these...
Generally, predictions are tested using carefully-designed experiments. Based on the outcome of these...
254.9K
03:50The Scientific Method
63.9K
Chemistry is an empirical science. Scientists often pose questions to understand the chemistry in everyday life and seek answers to these questions. To achieve this, scientists follow a definitive series of steps that together make up the Scientific Method. This approach involves making observations, asking questions, building a hypothesis, conducting experiments, analyzing results, and forming a conclusion.
63.9K
01:24Humanistic Psychology
2.2K
Humanistic psychology emerged in the mid-20th century as a response to the deterministic and pessimistic nature of behaviorism and psychoanalysis. While behaviorism focused on observable behaviors influenced by the environment and psychoanalysis delved into unconscious motivations, both theories suggested that human actions lacked free will. In contrast, humanistic psychology offers a perspective that emphasizes the innate potential for goodness and growth within every individual.
This approach...
This approach...
2.2K
01:30Scientific Nature of Social Psychology
438
Social psychology is a scientific discipline dedicated to understanding how individuals think, feel, and behave in social contexts. Unlike common sense, which relies on anecdotal experiences and intuition, social psychology employs systematic research and empirical methods to ensure objectivity and reliability. This distinction is fundamental in distinguishing scientifically supported findings from mere speculation.Four fundamental scientific values guide a structured approach to research in...
438