Study Sheds Light on the Impact of Tone and Uncertainty in Science Communication

This research shows how tone and uncertainty impact reactions to science communications.

Summary

This study examined how different ways of speaking, specifically using commanding language or showing certainty (or uncertainty) about facts, affect how people react emotionally and think about important topics like climate change and GMOs (genetically modified organisms). Across two studies, participants read messages designed to inform them about these issues.

The first study focused on climate change and found that commands made them feel angry and like their freedom was being threatened. However, saying something with absolute certainty didn't have the same effect. It wasn’t the statement of fact that bothered people so much as telling them what to do with that information.

The second study then explored how talking about uncertainties in GMO science, either before or after the main message, interacted with a commanding tone. Here, mentioning uncertainties at the end helped reduce feelings of anger and threats to freedom. These findings help us understand better ways to communicate about science without making people defensive.

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