Specific cognitive biases lead to the distrust of formal knowledge in favor of folk knowledge
the verdict
SUPPORTED
the evidence backs this
confidence 90/100
Specific cognitive biases and heuristic processing drive individuals to favor intuitive, folk-based knowledge over formal scientific evidence.
Evidence for · 5
Going against the Herd: Psychological and Cultural Factors Underlying the ‘Vaccination Confidence Gap’
2015 · cited by 211
Demonstrates that intuitive thinking styles and psychological factors predict the rejection of evidence-based science in favor of alternatives like CAM.
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More for · 4
Trust is the common denominator for COVID-19 vaccine acceptance: A literature review.
2022 · cited by 80
Shows that personal beliefs and perceptions heavily influence decision-making over formal science-based reasoning.
Public misconceptions about dyslexia: The role of intuitive psychology
2021 · cited by 13
Traces public misconceptions to intuitive psychological principles such as dualism and essentialism.
A cross-sectional analysis of the quality and characteristics of sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome videos on YouTube, Bilibili, and TikTok.
2026 · cited by 1
Highlights how heuristic processing and peripheral cues drive engagement with low-integrity information over scientific accuracy.
Predatory marketing and false health promotion on social media: risk pathways in diet, fitness, and supplement communication.
2026 · cited by 0
Examines how psychological vulnerability reinforces the internalization of false health beliefs lacking scientific grounding.