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ABSTRACT
This study examined the impact of presenting scientific and social consensus information together on people’s scientific beliefs when the two types of consensus information contradict each other. Japanese adults (N = 1,518) received information about high scientific consensus and low social consensus on the safety of genetically modified (GM) foods, information only about high scientific consensus, information only about low social consensus, or no consensus information. The presentation of only scientific or social consensus information had no effect on participants’ beliefs about the safety of GM foods, whereas the simultaneous presentation of scientific and social consensus information improved their beliefs in some degree. The effect of presenting scientific and social consensus information together was mediated by perceived scientific consensus.
Data availability statement
The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, Keiichi Kobayashi, upon reasonable request.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.
Supplementary material
Supplemental data for this article can be accessed here.
Notes
1. An additional analysis found that the effect size for the impact of only scientific consensus information (d = 0.12) observed in the present study was within the rage of variability of those found in previous studies on the issue of GM safety (see the supplement online material).