A lack of information among dogmatists?
Decision-making and policy orientations
First, the decision-making test. Participants were presented with two boxes containing glitter dots and had to guess which box contained more. Once they had made their choice, the researchers gave each participant a second chance, providing them with "hint" information to help them formalize their decision. To what extent did the volunteers take the time to question their initial opinion and use the "hint" information? According to Professor Schulz, this simple experiment demonstrates "that we are capable of giving more credence to our own opinion than to factual evidence, which contributes to dogmatism." Questionnaires were then used to observe political orientations and their level of dogmatism.
As a result, according to the researchers, the most dogmatic subjects were those who refused to use the "helping hand" information to reassess their position during the first test. This proves that "dogmatic people tend not to consult available sources of information before making a decision."
A lack of confidence?
In everyday life, whether it concerns religious, scientific or political topics, "dogmatic people are precisely less curious about points that might change their opinion."
Note: This study on dogmatism is important in the current context. For example, in the context of the health and social crisis, which has given rise to certain conspiracy theories related to the existence of Covid-19 or the supposed indispensability of vaccines.
*University of London College **Max Planck Institute
SudOuest
