The Appeal of the Brain in the Popular Press
The Appeal of the Brain in the Popular Press
复制标题
DOI:
10.1177/1745691610388779
复制
发表时间:
2010-11-01
影响因子:
12.6
通讯作者:
Beck, Diane M.
中科院分区:
文献类型:
--
作者:
Beck, Diane M.
Since the advent of human neuroimaging, and of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in particular, the popular press has shown an increasing interest in brain-related findings. In this article, I explore possible reasons behind this interest, including recent data suggesting that people find brain images and neuroscience language more convincing than results that make no reference to the brain (McCabe & Castel, 2008; Weisberg, Keil, Goodstein, Rawson, & Gray, 2008). I suggest that part of the allure of these data are the deceptively simply messages they afford, as well as general, but sometimes misguided, confidence in biological data. In addition to cataloging some misunderstandings by the press and public, I highlight the responsibilities of the research scientist in carefully conveying their work to the general public.