The False Balance Effect: Exploring Partition Dependence as a Potential Explanation.

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Title: The False Balance Effect: Exploring Partition Dependence as a Potential Explanation.
Authors: Han, Tianshuang (AUTHOR), Snook, Brent (AUTHOR), Day, Martin V. (AUTHOR)
Source: Applied Cognitive Psychology. Jan/Feb2025, Vol. 39 Issue 1, p1-15. 15p.
Subjects: Scientific communication, Explanation
Abstract: False balance arises when opposing viewpoints about a scientific issue are portrayed as more evenly matched than what the empirical evidence demonstrates. We examined the extent to which partition dependence is the psychological mechanism underlying the false balance effect. Participants (N = 360) read a statement about an interrogation practice (i.e., the use of false evidence ploys) that reached expert consensus, viewed data about the level of the expert consensus, and then assigned randomly to view (a) balanced expert comments in equal proportion on each side (3:3), (b) two‐sided comments with more consensus views (5:1), (c) two‐sided comments with more contrarian views (1:5), or (d) no comments at all. Results showed that balanced comments distorted perceived expert consensus and that two‐sided comments with more consensus views had the largest impact on debiasing perceived expert consensus. We discuss the implications of our findings for science communication efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Applied Cognitive Psychology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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  Data: The False Balance Effect: Exploring Partition Dependence as a Potential Explanation.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Han%2C+Tianshuang%22">Han, Tianshuang</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Snook%2C+Brent%22">Snook, Brent</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Day%2C+Martin+V%2E%22">Day, Martin V.</searchLink> (AUTHOR)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Applied+Cognitive+Psychology%22">Applied Cognitive Psychology</searchLink>. Jan/Feb2025, Vol. 39 Issue 1, p1-15. 15p.
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  Data: False balance arises when opposing viewpoints about a scientific issue are portrayed as more evenly matched than what the empirical evidence demonstrates. We examined the extent to which partition dependence is the psychological mechanism underlying the false balance effect. Participants (N = 360) read a statement about an interrogation practice (i.e., the use of false evidence ploys) that reached expert consensus, viewed data about the level of the expert consensus, and then assigned randomly to view (a) balanced expert comments in equal proportion on each side (3:3), (b) two‐sided comments with more consensus views (5:1), (c) two‐sided comments with more contrarian views (1:5), or (d) no comments at all. Results showed that balanced comments distorted perceived expert consensus and that two‐sided comments with more consensus views had the largest impact on debiasing perceived expert consensus. We discuss the implications of our findings for science communication efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Applied Cognitive Psychology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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