Denying to the grave : why we ignore the facts that will save us

Denying to the grave Why we ignore the facts that will save us

Sara E. Gorman

Book - 2017

Why do some parents refuse to vaccinate their children? Why do some keep guns at home, despite scientific evidence of risk to their family members? And why do people use antibiotics for illnesses they can't possibly alleviate? When it comes to health, many people insist that science is wrong, that the evidence is incomplete or inconclusive, and that unidentified hazards lurk everywhere to harm us.

Saved in:
Place a Hold Save to List Email this

2nd Floor Show me where

362.1/Gorman
1 / 1 copies available
Location Call Number   Status
2nd Floor 362.1/Gorman Checked In
Subjects
Social medicine.
Science > Methodology.
Skepticism.
Belief and doubt (Psychology)
Denial (Psychology)
Published
Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press [2017]
Language
English
Main Author
Sara E. Gorman (author)
Other Authors
Jack M. Gorman (author)
Physical Description
x, 312 pages ; 25 cm
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN
9780199396603
  • Acknowledgments
  • Introduction
  • 1. Conspiracy Theories
  • 2. Charismatic Leaders
  • 3. Confirmation Bias
  • 4. Causality and Filling the Ignorance Gap
  • 5. Avoidance of Complexity
  • 6. Risk Perception and Probability
  • Conclusion
  • Notes
  • About the Authors
  • Index
Review by Library Journal Review

In this superb book, Sara E. Gorman (project manager, Johnson & Johnson Global Public Health) and psychiatrist Jack M. Gorman (CEO & chief scientific officer, (Franklin Behavioral Health; The Essential Guide to Psychiatric Drugs) collaborate to explain why many people deny scientifically established facts, even in the face of compelling evidence. In addition, they provide "guiding principles" designed to address the problem. To illustrate their point, the authors focus on the example of parents who believe that childhood vaccines cause autism. While research studies confirm that there is no causal connection and also discredit rogue articles maintaining a link, medical professionals must still defend the efficacy of, and necessity for, vaccinations. Why? Using tenets from social psychology and behavioral economics, the authors elucidate ways in which conspiracy theories, charismatic leaders, confirmation bias, causality and filling the ignorance gap, avoidance of complexity, and risk perception and probability factor into denialism. Ultimately, they propose early and enhanced education in the scientific method to cultivate necessary critical thinking. VERDICT Perfect for fans of the subject and Daniel Kahneman's Thinking, Fast and Slow.-Lynne Maxwell, West Virginia Univ. Coll. of Law Lib., Morgantown © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Similar Items