The Influence of Epistemic Beliefs and Emotions in Learning From Multiple Texts

• In Event: 61.030 - Epistemic Cognition Across Multiple Texts and Contexts

Abstract

When individuals attempt to learn about geopolitical issues like the implications of climate change, they will likely be confronted with multiple sources of conflicting information. This conflict could arouse intense emotional reactions, depending on how one perceives the nature of knowledge and knowing – one’s epistemic beliefs. In the present study, we examined how individuals created mental models across multiple text sources – some agree, others do not. We were particularly interested in how one’s epistemic beliefs predicted learning, and if this relationship was influenced by the emotions aroused while reading conflicting information. Results indicate that beliefs about the nature of knowledge and emotions uniquely and differentially predict learning when individuals read multiple conflicting documents on a controversial topic.

Authors

• Robert William Danielson, University of Southern California

• Gale M. Sinatra, University of Southern California

• Krista R. Muis, McGill University

• Reinhard Pekrun, University of Essex