Why (not) disagree? : Human values and the readiness to question experts’ views

Abstract

Whether people blindly trust experts on all occasions or whether they evaluate experts’ views and question them if necessary is a vital question. This study investigates associations of human values with the readiness to question experts’ views and one’s reasons for not disagreeing with experts among randomly sampled Finns. Readiness to question experts’ views and one’s reasons for not disagreeing were inferred from self-reported written accounts. Value priorities were measured with Schwartz et al.’s Portrait Values Questionnaire and Wach and Hammer’s items concerning rational and non-rational truth. The results showed that after adjusting for the effects of age, sex and education, the values of power and rational truth were positively associated, whereas the values of security, conformity and tradition were negatively associated with readiness to question experts’ views. Furthermore, the analysis indicated that the reasons for not disagreeing with experts were related to individual factors, situational factors, social risks and views about experts.