Moderation note: 5 posts were moved from this thread to the Earth science forum thread “Discussion about climate change from a thread about the psychology of it” because they discuss the science of climate change, rather the psychology of why people believe what they do about climate change and evolution.
So, most of you have probably seen people argue fervently against evolution, despite the mountains of evidence in its favor and the more than a century of it successfully dispatching with every challenge thrown its way.
Likewise, you've probably seen countless global climate change denials supported by comments from people who don't even work in the field, or who have some agenda to push, despite the overwhelming scientific consensus across research modalities and across the globe that humans right now are the primary forcing factor in the climate change we are experiencing.
So, this is a psychology thread. Let's hash it out. What are the commonalities among these two types of person? What parallels are there between someone who discounts the human impact and seriousness of global climate change and someone who disregards evolution?
One common theme I sense is source of data. For example, both tend to be more common among neo conservatives, however, that's hardly exhaustive. I sense religion to be a key role, especially in denial of evolution. However, I want to get beyond that and explore deeper reasons... more archaic psychological reasons, and the psychosocial contributors to these phenomenon. This ISN'T a global warming thread. We are accepting AGW as given for purposes of this conversation, just as we are accepting evolution as true. Now, what causes people to deny them, and what are the similarities?
Be honest. Feelings might get hurt, but I personally find that okay as long as rudeness or being mean is not your primary intention.
