I probably shouldn’t tell you this: I deal partly in science, and the more science-y I make it look and sound, the more persuasive I am. I don’t know that from my own experience — though political consulting is built on anecdotes, they can be totally misleading. I know it […] Read more »
When a Gun Is Not a Gun
… In everyday life, your brain seems to be a reactive organ. You stroll past a round red object in the produce section of a supermarket and react by reaching for an apple. A police officer sees a weapon and reacts by raising his gun. Stimulus is followed by response. […] Read more »
Voting, ads and amnesia
… Nearly a decade ago, my column here argued that recall of political advertising is not a measure of effectiveness. Despite my now ancient warning, some consultants and pundits still wrongly equate memorable ads with effective ones. Indeed, when people hear me make this point they often look at me […] Read more »
Why People ‘Fly from Facts’
… As public debate rages about issues like immunization, Obamacare, and same-sex marriage, many people try to use science to bolster their arguments. And since it’s becoming easier to test and establish facts—whether in physics, psychology, or policy—many have wondered why bias and polarization have not been defeated. When people […] Read more »
The truth of false memories
We assume our memories are accurate. A 2011 survey found 63 percent of the public saying, “Human memory works like a video camera, accurately recording the events we see and hear … .” The problem: Not one academic expert on memory agrees with this proposition, accepted by nearly two-thirds of […] Read more »
Why Movie ‘Facts’ Prevail
This year’s Oscar nominees for best picture include four films based on true stories …. Each film has been criticized for factual inaccuracy. … You might think: Does it really matter? Can’t we keep the film world separate from the real world? Unfortunately, the answer is no. Studies show that […] Read more »