Why Do People Distrust Science?

Source: michael-heise/Unsplash

Science has given us vaccines, life-saving medical treatments, technological advances, and a deeper understanding of human behavior. And yet, despite these undeniable contributions, public distrust of science seems to be at an all-time high.

Maybe you’ve noticed it—the rise of conspiracy theories, the reluctance to trust experts, the way “do your own research” has become a battle cry on social media (even when the “research” in question is a five-minute scroll through Reddit).

So, what’s driving this skepticism?

Some of it stems from genuine historical mistakes (science doesn’t have a perfect track record), but much of today’s distrust is fueled by misinformation, cognitive biases, and a deep-seated discomfort with uncertainty.

Let’s break down why distrust in science is growing, what psychology tells us about why people believe misinformation, and how we can become better, more critical thinkers in an era of scientific skepticism.

Why Are People Distrusting Science More Than Ever?

There’s no single cause, but a few key factors are driving the shift:

1. The Misinformation Tsunami: Social media has made it easier than ever for false information to spread faster than facts—and our brains are wired to believe what we see repeatedly.

2. The Appeal of Simplicity: Science can be messy. It evolves as our technology improves. Studies get revised. But misinformation? It can offers simple, confident answers because it is not held to the burden of proof—which is exactly what people crave when faced with uncertainty.

3. The Influence of Personal Experience: People trust stories over statistics. If someone had a bad experience with therapy, for example, they may dismiss decades of research on its benefits.

4. Historical Mistakes Breed Suspicion: Science has gotten things wrong before (e.g., unethical psychological experiments, biased medical research), making it easier for skeptics to say, “See? Scientists don’t know what they’re doing.”

5. Science Communication Problems: Scientists are trained to be cautious, use complex language, and present findings with nuance. Meanwhile, misinformation spreads through bold, emotional storytelling. Guess which one sticks?

The Psychology of Misinformation: Why Smart People Fall for Bad Science

If you’ve ever wondered why intelligent, educated people believe pseudoscience (or outright conspiracy theories), psychology has some answers.

Cognitive biases make all of us prone to faulty thinking. A few of the biggest culprits:

• Confirmation Bias: We seek out and believe information that aligns with what we already think.
• The Illusory Truth Effect: The more we hear something, the more likely we are to believe it—even if it’s false.
• The Dunning-Kruger Effect: People with low expertise in a subject often overestimate their knowledge (”I watched a YouTube video on brain chemistry, so I know what I’m talking about.”).
• Emotional Reasoning: If something feels true, we believe it—even if the data says otherwise.

These biases aren’t just found in conspiracy theorists—they affect all of us. That’s why simply throwing “facts” at people doesn’t change minds.

How to Think More Critically About Science (Without Feeling Overwhelmed)

If you want to stay informed without falling into the misinformation trap, here’s where to start:

1. Check the Source: Is it a peer-reviewed study or a TikTok? Was the research published in a reputable journal, or is it a blog post written by someone with no credentials?

2. Look for Scientific Consensus, Not Single Studies: Science is a process, not a single study. If a new finding contradicts everything we knew before, it’s probably not the whole story yet.

Trust Essential Reads

Why Do Smart People Fall for Stupid Ideas?

Only by Trusting Others Can You Get Their True Measure

3. Be Wary of Overly Simple Answers: If something claims to be "the secret they don’t want you to know,” it’s likely misleading at best, and harmful at worst.

4. Ask: Does This Claim Rely on Fear or Emotion? Fear-based messaging spreads faster than facts. If something is making you feel panicked, pause and fact-check before sharing.

5. Get Comfortable with Uncertainty: Science doesn’t always have immediate, clear answers—and that’s okay. Learning to sit with not knowing everything right away is a skill.

Science Isn't Perfect, But Distrusting It Completely Is Worse

Skepticism is healthy. Blind distrust is not.

The next time you see a viral claim that contradicts decades of research, take a breath. Ask questions. Fact-check. And most importantly—be willing to sit with complexity rather than seeking easy answers.

Because trusting good science isn’t about believing everything you hear—it’s about learning how to think critically, ask better questions, and recognize when something doesn’t quite add up.