What evolutionary trait makes humans prone to pseudoscience?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

When evaluating the question, we need to identify which evolutionary trait best explains humans' susceptibility to pseudoscience.
Option a: 'Preference for complex data' implies a bias toward complexity, which can actually support scientific thinking when data is credible; however, pseudoscience often thrives on oversimplified or misused data, so this option is not the core vulnerability.
Option b: 'Avoidance of pattern recognition' would reduce tendencies to infer connections, but humans are actually pattern-seeking by nature; this trait would not explain a susceptibility to pseudoscience. In fact, pattern recognition is often implicated in accepting erroneous causal links.
Option c: 'Dependence on peer-reviewed studies' describes a rigorous standard for evidence, which protects against pseudoscience rather than enabling it. Relying on peer-reviewed work is a hallmark of scientific thinking, not a vulnerability.
Option d: 'Ability to conduct experiments' is a fundamental scientific skill that helps verify claims; this ability counters pseudoscientific thinking rather than contributing to it.
Option e: 'Reliance on personal experience and stories' reflects a cognitive bias toward anecdotal evidence, which is easy to admire and recall but not reliable for establishing generalizable truths. This trait can lead people to accept pseudoscientific ideas because stories feel convincing even when not supported by robust data. It captures the evolutionary tendency to learn from immediate, salient experiences, which can override statistical or methodological considerations.
In summary, the other options describe attributes that align with rigorous or analytical thinking (a misapplied notion in a few cases), or with scientific practices (broadly incorrect since pattern recognition is common), or with safeguards against misinformation (c and d). The key vulnerability described is the reliance on personal experience and stories, which aligns with the popular appeal of pseudoscientific claims and explains why such beliefs can spread despite lack of rigorous evidence.

CCST9086_1A_2025 Quiz5

What evolutionary trait makes humans prone to pseudoscience?

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