Making Sense of Research on the Neuroimage Bias
Abstract
Both academic and legal communities have cautioned that laypersons may be unduly persuaded by images of the brain and may fail to interpret them appropriately. While early studies confirmed this concern, a second wave of research was repeatedly unable to find evidence of such a bias. The newest wave of studies paints a more nuanced picture in which, under certain circumstances, a neuroimage bias reemerges. To help make sense of this discordant body of research, we highlight the contextual significance of understanding how laypersons’ decision making is or is not impacted by neuroimages, provide an overview of findings from all sides of the neuroimage bias question, and discuss what these findings mean to public use and understanding of neuroimages.
Recommended Citation
Baker, D. A., Ware, J. M., Schweitzer, N. J., & Risko, E. F. (2017). Making Sense of Research on the Neuroimage Bias. Public Understanding of Science, 26(2), pp. 251-258. SAGE.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1177/0963662515604975
Department(s)
Psychological Science
Keywords and Phrases
Governance of Science and Technology; Interaction Experts/Publics; Lay Expertise; Public Understanding of Science; Representations of Science; Science Attitudes and Perceptions; Science Communication; Scientific Controversies
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2017 SAGE, All rights reserved.
Publication Date
01 Feb 2017
