On These Questions, Smarter People Do Worse
A research study looked at how people understand information, especially when it's about political topics. People were given a puzzle about skin cream and another about gun control. The study found that when the information was not political, people who were good at numbers (numerate) were more likely to get the right answer. However, when the information was about a political topic like gun control, people, especially those who were good with numbers, often got the answer wrong if it went against what they already believed. This suggests that our political beliefs can stop us from thinking clearly, even if we are smart. The study also suggests that to have better discussions, we should avoid strong political words and instead focus on local problems and solutions, and try to be more curious about different ideas.
Key Vocabulary
Not interested or involved in politics; having no political relevance or bias.
Examples:
- The club's mission statement emphasized its apolitical nature, focusing solely on community service.
- Many find art to be a welcome escape, appreciating its often apolitical interpretations of life.
- The discussion remained apolitical, as participants chose to focus on technical details rather than ideological viewpoints.
A colloquial contraction of "want to."
Examples:
- I wanna go to the park later if the weather holds up.
- She said she didn't wanna miss the beginning of the movie.
- Do you wanna grab a quick lunch before our meeting?
The average level of the sea's surface, used as a standard in reckoning land elevation or sea depth.
Examples:
- The ancient city was built just above sealevel, making it vulnerable to tidal changes.
- Engineers had to account for rising sealevels when designing the new coastal defenses.
- Many low-lying islands are particularly susceptible to the impacts of changing sealevel.
A panel beneath the windshield of a vehicle or in front of a computer user, holding instruments and controls; metaphorically, a display of key performance indicators or information.
Examples:
- The car's new dashboard featured a large touchscreen display for navigation.
- The project manager used a digital dashboard to monitor the team's progress and identify bottlenecks.
- Her personal finance dashboard provided an overview of her spending habits and savings goals.
In a way that deals with things sensibly and realistically in a practical rather than theoretical manner.
Examples:
- The team approached the complex problem pragmatically, focusing on achievable solutions rather than abstract ideals.
- She decided to deal with the budget shortfall pragmatically, cutting non-essential expenses first.
- He always thinks pragmatically, preferring concrete actions over lengthy discussions.
Competent or skilled in doing or using something.
Examples:
- To be proficient in a new language, consistent practice is essential.
- The software developer was highly proficient in several programming languages.
- She became proficient at playing the piano after years of dedicated lessons.
To discourage someone from doing something by instilling doubt or fear.
Examples:
- The strict penalties for littering are designed to deter people from polluting the park.
- A sudden downpour did not deter the determined hikers from continuing their ascent.
- Security cameras are often used to deter potential shoplifters.
The established set of attitudes held by someone.
Examples:
- Adopting a growth mindset can significantly improve one's ability to learn and adapt.
- His positive mindset helped him overcome numerous challenges during the project.
- The company fostered a collaborative mindset among its employees to encourage teamwork.
Made or caused by human beings, as opposed to occurring naturally.
Examples:
- The lake is a manmade reservoir, constructed to supply water to the nearby towns.
- Engineers worked to repair the manmade structure that had been damaged by the storm.
- Many modern materials are manmade, offering properties not found in nature.
Using or based on what one feels to be true even without conscious reasoning; easy to use and understand.
Examples:
- The new app has an intuitive interface, making it simple for anyone to navigate.
- She had an intuitive sense of what her customers wanted, even before they expressed it.
- His intuitive grasp of the game allowed him to anticipate his opponent's moves.
Having a good understanding of numbers; able to understand and work with numerical data.
Examples:
- The job requires someone who is highly numerate and can analyze complex financial reports.
- Being numerate is essential for making informed decisions based on statistical information.
- Students are encouraged to become more numerate to succeed in a data-driven world.
A small firearm designed to be held and fired with one hand.
Examples:
- The officer secured the handgun found at the scene of the incident.
- Learning to safely operate a handgun requires extensive training and practice.
- He kept a small handgun in a locked safe for personal protection.
Imposing a misleading belief upon someone; deceiving oneself.
Examples:
- He was deluding himself into thinking he could finish the entire project in one night.
- She realized she had been deluding herself about the true extent of the problem.
- The magician was skilled at deluding his audience with clever illusions.
To be ostracized means to be excluded from a group or society, often by general consent. It implies a social rejection or banishment.
Examples:
- After expressing unpopular views, the scientist felt increasingly ostracized by colleagues in his department.
- The small community tends to ostracize anyone who does not conform to its strict traditions.
- Children who are constantly bullied at school may feel ostracized by their peers.
Without conscious reasoning; instinctively.
Examples:
- She knew intuitively that something was wrong, even though she couldn't explain why.
- The experienced chef intuitively adjusted the seasoning without needing to taste the dish.
- He understood the complex system intuitively, quickly grasping its underlying principles.
Not real or true; imaginary or fabricated.
Examples:
- The author created a fictitious world with its own unique history and characters.
- The names used in the case study were fictitious to protect the privacy of real individuals.
- He often told fictitious stories to entertain his younger siblings.
A post made on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Examples:
- The celebrity's recent tweet sparked a widespread discussion online.
- She decided to tweet an update about the event to her followers.
- He carefully crafted his tweet to convey his message concisely.
The ability to understand and work with numbers.
Examples:
- Developing strong numeracy skills is crucial for success in many professions.
- The educational program aims to improve the numeracy levels of adult learners.
- Her excellent numeracy allowed her to quickly identify the error in the financial report.
A word or phrase, often a piece of jargon, that is fashionable at a particular time or in a particular context.
Examples:
- The presentation was full of corporate buzzwords that made it difficult to understand the actual message.
- Marketers often rely on buzzwords to make products sound more innovative.
- Avoid using too many buzzwords in your resume; focus on clear and concise descriptions of your skills.
Involving the agreement or cooperation of two political parties that usually oppose each other's policies.
Examples:
- The new legislation passed with bipartisan support, indicating a rare consensus.
- Leaders called for a bipartisan effort to address the pressing national issues.
- Achieving bipartisan agreement on the budget proved to be a challenging task.