Hi Anoop
"So my question is why aren't people looking at studies" — so you are asking about behavioural psychology.
You are on the right track when you say " this is clear case of system 1 thinking and confirmation bias", but it is a little more complicated than that.
The gun control "debate" in the USA is one example of many worldwide where opinions are polarized, and arguments are based on emotions, not facts.
Jonathan Haidt (pronounced height) has a brilliant TED talk on this — and a very readable book, with much more detail about his theory and the supporting evidence.
http://www.ted.com/talks/jonathan_haidt_how_common_threats_can_make_common_political_ground.html
http://www.amazon.com/Righteous-Mind-Divided-Politics-Religion/dp/0307377903
Michael
-----Original Message-----
From: Evidence based health (EBH) [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Anoop Balachandran
Sent: 08 February 2013 13:31
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Gun Control Laws
I hope you all are familiar with the recent debate about gun control laws in USA. I am bringing up this point because all I see is people bringing up anecdotal evidence to support their hypothesis, even by politicians. I think this is clear case of system 1 thinking and confirmation bias.
So my question is why aren't people looking at studies, why aren't they talking about risk vs benefits like in an evidence- based approach than quoting one or two anecdotes. Or if there are no studies why isn't anyone calling for more funding on these studies.
just curious to know what all you guys think about this issue from an evidence-based approach.
Thanks
Anoop Balachandran
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