People systematically discount or fail to listen to expert advice
the verdict
CONTESTED
the evidence cuts both ways
confidence 39/100
While people sometimes discount expert advice due to biases, partisan divisions, or political pressures, research shows that under many conditions individuals readily use and appreciate expert recommendations.
Evidence for · 2
Sincere or motivated? Partisan bias in advice-taking
2023 · cited by 8
Demonstrates that individuals systematically discount advice from sources they are biased against, such as counter-partisans.
Evidence against · 2
Improving judgement with prepaid expert advice
2004 · cited by 124
Shows that under certain conditions, such as committing money for advice, decision-makers readily utilize expert guidance.
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More for · 1
Making expert advice public in a time of emergency: Independent SAGE and the contestation of science during the Covid pandemic in the UK
2025 · cited by 7
Describes how public health expertise was ignored and sidelined during the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting a dismissal of expert guidance.
More against · 1
Is AI as trustworthy as human experts? The role of advice source, technology knowledge, and perceptions of AI’s impact in organizational decision-making
2025 · cited by 4
Finds that individuals place substantial weight on advice, showing no inherent aversion to expert sources compared to algorithms.