Modesty makes researchers appear more trustworthy
According to a study, "modest" researchers appear more trustworthy. Their recommendations are more likely to be followed if they communicate that they are not in control of the truth and that their knowledge is limited.
Crises such as climate change or the coronavirus pandemic show how important trust in science is, an international team involving the University of Vienna has found. In order to investigate the role of "intellectual modesty" in this context, a study published in the journal Nature Human Behavior study, around 2000 participants in the USA were surveyed and involved in online experiments.
Under the direction of the University of Pittsburgh, the researchers presented scientific texts that were formulated either with "high intellectual modesty", "low intellectual modesty" or no particular style.
"High intellectual modesty" stands for the willingness to admit gaps in knowledge, to listen to the contributions of others and to reconsider one's own findings in light of this, explained Nina Vaupotic, a psychologist from the University of Vienna who was involved in the study, in an interview with the APA.
It has been shown that people who read texts that were formulated accordingly rated the scientists and their results as more trustworthy. This also meant that they were more willing to follow the scientific recommendations or search for further information.
Science is limited
They also tested the form in which "intellectual humility" can be taught and the results that can be achieved. In addition to the personal admission of knowledge limits, the researchers also looked at two other approaches.
It was communicated here that science is limited in its methods and results, for example in terms of generalizability. Even if this could increase trust in the person, there was a slightly negative effect on belief in a particular research topic, according to Vaupotic.
Overall, there were very small differences in the various types of communication, which is why these should be tested in further studies. According to the research team, "personal intellectual modesty" is helpful in strengthening trust. (SDA/swi)
