ABSTRACT
Science denial involves dismissal of well-established scientific evidence for non-scientific reasons. This phenomenon has been documented in various areas within medical science (e.g., denial of vaccine safety, the link between smoking and lung cancer, HIV and AIDS, media violence effects, etc.). Science denial is often accompanied by anger and aggressive actions towards scientists, leading some authors to label it ‘war on science’ (Lewandowsky et al. 2013d). This chapter reviews the psychological mechanisms that lead to science denial, including processes affecting individuals (such as belief perseverance, confirmation bias, and cognitive dissonance), groups (such as social identification) and intergroup relations (such as intergroup threat). Special attention is given to predictors of angry denial and aggressive actions towards scientists as well as avenues for prevention and intervention that can help combat science denial and reduce the risk of non-science-based medical practices.
