Anti-vaxxers are more likely to be reasoning with emotion rather than logic (as we all do, to some extent.. just most people emotionally trust science). They are afraid of big pharma, and want to protect their families. So arguing with logic doesn't work, and in fact makes them double down on their stance. And of course showing scientific studies won't work- if they think scientists are corrupt, why would they believe them?
However, a few studies have shown that arguing with emotion can be effective! The most effective technique for changing minds of anti-vaxxers was showing pictures of children in pain or dying from preventable diseases in countries where vaccines aren't readily available. Basically, play on the emotion of wanting to protect the children, but turn it against the actual horrible diseases, instead of the vaccines preventing them.
Apolliyon on August 23rd, 2018 at 02:15 UTC »
This is actually kind of true!
Anti-vaxxers are more likely to be reasoning with emotion rather than logic (as we all do, to some extent.. just most people emotionally trust science). They are afraid of big pharma, and want to protect their families. So arguing with logic doesn't work, and in fact makes them double down on their stance. And of course showing scientific studies won't work- if they think scientists are corrupt, why would they believe them?
However, a few studies have shown that arguing with emotion can be effective! The most effective technique for changing minds of anti-vaxxers was showing pictures of children in pain or dying from preventable diseases in countries where vaccines aren't readily available. Basically, play on the emotion of wanting to protect the children, but turn it against the actual horrible diseases, instead of the vaccines preventing them.
Here is one (slightly later) paper showing how a combination of science amd emotional reasoning can be used to convince parents better than science alone.
jter8 on August 23rd, 2018 at 02:36 UTC »
Well medicine is a lot like potion making....
Deathleech55 on August 23rd, 2018 at 02:55 UTC »
Yeah but then they'll try making their own "natural vaccines".