Cognitive Style and Acceptance of Evolution

[essentialsaltes]

"Despite overwhelming scientific consensus, popular opinions regarding evolution are starkly divided. In the USA, for example, nearly one in three adults espouse a literal and recent divine creation account of human origins. Plausibly, resistance to scientific conclusions regarding the origins of species—like much resistance to other scientific conclusions (Bloom & Weisberg, 2007)—gains support from reliably developing intuitions. Intuitions about essentialism, teleology, agency, and order may combine to make creationism potentially more cognitively attractive than evolutionary concepts. However, dual process approaches to cognition recognize that people can often analytically override their intuitions. Two large studies (total N = 1324) found consistent evidence that a tendency to engage analytic thinking predicted endorsement of evolution, even controlling for relevant demographic, attitudinal, and religious variables. Meanwhile, exposure to religion predicted reduced endorsement of evolution. Cognitive style is one factor among many affecting opinions on the origin of species."

 

[KWCrazy]

The problem with the study is that the eggheads seem to think there is something wrong with the people who refuse to believe the snake oil they are peddling. I can simplify things for them. There are two worldviews; spiritual and non-spiritual. Spiritual people believe that there is a higher power and a greater existence that goes beyond our existence on this earth. This is the predominant view of mankind. The non-spiritual people believe that this life is the totality of our existence. They look to the world around us for answers to all questions and believe that those answers can only be found through the scientific method.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but there is no correlation between world view and intelligence. There IS a correlation between the number of times a person is exposed to something and their acceptance of what is being taught. Since evolution is being crammed down our throats in academia on a daily basis, the longer one remains is school the more likely they are to agree with what is being taught; especially if they don't have a strong spiritual background.

 

[Loudmouth]

The problem with the study is that the eggheads seem to think there is something wrong with the people who refuse to believe the snake oil they are peddling.

There is something wrong with you if you think it is snake oil.

I can simplify things for them. There are two worldviews; spiritual and non-spiritual. Spiritual people believe that there is a higher power and a greater existence that goes beyond our existence on this earth. This is the predominant view of mankind. The non-spiritual people believe that this life is the totality of our existence. They look to the world around us for answers to all questions and believe that those answers can only be found through the scientific method.

There is a third worldview, which you belong to. That worldview is denial of reality.

 

[essentialsaltes]

Sorry to burst your bubble, but there is no correlation between world view and intelligence.

No one said there was.

There IS a correlation between the number of times a person is exposed to something and their acceptance of what is being taught.

Exactly, as the study noted, "Meanwhile, exposure to religion predicted reduced endorsement of evolution."

 

[Bradly Capel]

Bad education along with religious indoctrination are with out a doubt a recipe for disaster.

 

[KWCrazy]

No one said there was.

Not in your article, but on forums like these we are frequently bombarded with articles and research linking belief in evolution to intelligence. It's just one way certain liars massage the evidence to get the results they want.

Exactly, as the study noted, "Meanwhile, exposure to religion predicted reduced endorsement of evolution."

Right. The canard about evolution believers being better educated and more intelligent is a complete fabrication. The belief in God and in creation in now way conflicts with science. They are two completely different fields of study.

 

[Loudmouth]

The belief in God and in creation in now way conflicts with science. They are two completely different fields of study.

Your rejection of evolution demonstrates otherwise.

 

[lesliedellow]

Since evolution is being crammed down our throats in academia on a daily basis, the longer one remains is school the more likely they are to agree with what is being taught; especially if they don't have a strong spiritual background.

Some months back, there was a creationist on another section of this forum cursing his professors. Their crime? They had set before him the evidence for Evolution, and, as much as he didn't want to believe evolution had happened, the evidence set before him had left him with no choice but to believe it.

 

[essentialsaltes]

on forums like these we are frequently bombarded with articles and research linking belief in evolution to intelligence

Do you mean here at CF, or just forums 'like these'? Because if you mean here at CF, I'd like to see some evidence of this frequent bombarding.

The canard about evolution believers being better educated

Well, better educated people are more likely to accept evolution. Which is not quite the same as this so-called canard you mention.

The belief in God and in creation in now way conflicts with science. They are two completely different fields of study.

If 'belief in creation' is something like YEC, then it conflicts egregiously with science.

 

[florida2]

Some months back, there was a creationist on another section of this forum cursing his professors. Their crime? They had set before him the evidence for Evolution, and, as much as he didn't want to believe evolution had happened, the evidence set before him had left him with no choice but to believe it.

Any idea who that was or where the post might be? Human psychology is fascinating

 

[lesliedellow]

Any idea who that was or where the post might be? Human psychology is fascinating

It was in "Struggles by Non-Christians". Like a lot of creationists when they stop being creationists, he ended up an atheist. I can't remember the name he posted under.

 

[KWCrazy]

Some months back, there was a creationist on another section of this forum cursing his professors. Their crime? They had set before him the evidence for Evolution, and, as much as he didn't want to believe evolution had happened, the evidence set before him had left him with no choice but to believe it.

It was a lie, of course. That same poster makes that same claim repeatedly under different account names. We know him as Consol, but he's used dozens of names. It's always the same lie; "I was a Christian and a creationist but when I saw none of it made sense I became an atheist."

If you missed the thread, he's about due to repeat it again under a new account.

 

[crjmurray]

It was in "Struggles by Non-Christians". Like a lot of creationists when they stop being creationists, he ended up an atheist. I can't remember the name he posted under.

That's sad

 

[crjmurray]

It was a lie, of course. That same poster makes that same claim repeatedly under different account names. We know him as Colton, but he's used dozens of names. It's always the same lie; "I was a Christian and a creationist but when I saw none of it made sense I became an atheist."

If you missed the thread, he's about due to repeat it again under a new account.

We know the one of whom you speak. We call him Con-sol.

 

[lesliedellow]

It was a lie, of course. That same poster makes that same claim repeatedly under different account names. We know him as Colton, but he's used dozens of names. It's always the same lie; "I was a Christian and a creationist but when I saw none of it made sense I became an atheist."

If you missed the thread, he's about due to repeat it again under a new account.

The person I am talking about seemed genuine, and pretty distressed.

 

[KWCrazy]

Well, better educated people are more likely to accept evolution. Which is not quite the same as this so-called canard you mention.

Not better educated. A high school drop out who learns to serve the Lord and goes to Heaven had a better education than a professor with 5 degrees who teaches that the Bible is a book of myths and subsequently goes to Hell. He learned the things which matter.

 

[KWCrazy]

We know the one of whom you speak. We call him Con-sol.

Consol, my bad.

 

[KWCrazy]

The person I am talking about seemed genuine, and pretty distressed.

Practice lying enough and you get good at it.

 

[[serious]]

It was in "Struggles by Non-Christians". Like a lot of creationists when they stop being creationists, he ended up an atheist. I can't remember the name he posted under.

Hence why, as a christian, I view creationism as a threat to the faith.

 

[essentialsaltes]

Not better educated.

Yes, better educated.

A high school drop out who learns to serve the Lord and goes to Heaven had a better education than a professor with 5 degrees

No, that's obviously absurd. Education is not measured by one's disposition in the afterlife. Education is measured by... one's education.