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What is it about a scientific explanation that makes it convincing or…
What is it about a scientific explanation that makes it convincing or unconvincing?
Experience
More likely to be convinced if you experienced that specific things before
Tried acupuncture before, and it made me feel relaxed→ Convinced
Tried acupuncture before, and it just hurts→ unconvinced
Background
A scientist from the specific subject
Has more knowledge and easier to decide whether the explanation is convincing or not (with reliable reason)
A high school student
Has less knowledge and difficult to decide whether it is convincing or not (with less reliable reason)
Culture/Belief
If the statement is connected to your own culture/belief, he wants to believe in that explanation, tries to understand it in a positive way
Acupuncture... From China→ So, maybe people in China are more likely to be convinced by the scientific explanation of acupuncture
This is a MUST: Detailed explanation, no contradiction
What makes a scientific explanation convincing or unconvincing mainly relies on the people who is listening/reading the scientific explanation.
Of course, if there is a major problem in the explanation itself, it is highly unlikely that people will be convinced by it. However, the experiences and the environment the person reading the explanation has will greatly affect whether the explanation seems convincing or not.
How many people believe in the explanation
If a majority of people believes in something, this might affect the way you try to understand the explanation
Many people in the class believes in acupuncture→ Tries to understand the explanation in a positive way→ Convinced
Many people in the class doesn't believe in acupuncture→ Think about the explanation in a bad way→ Unconvinced