Context:
The readings in this set discuss three contemporary situations about which large groups of people
have adopted beliefs and have persisted in believing them in spite of overwhelming factual and
scientific data. The false beliefs discussed in this set are:
 That Saddam Hussein was responsible for the 9/11 attacks
 That climate change is not occurring or isn’t important
 That childhood vaccinations cause autism.
Prasad et al claim that “the presence or absence of correct information” is not the cause of false
beliefs or misperceptions. Instead, those misperceptions result from various kinds of “motivated
reasoning” (1). Washington and Haydn also claim that lack of information does not explain
people’s denial. They say that instead it is due to “psychological, emotional, and behavioral
barriers” (8). They present five types of “denial arguments” that apply to almost all “denial
movements” (9).
Question:
Why and how do people continue to believe that vaccinations cause autism, in spite of
substantial evidence that their belief is not true? To answer this question, use the explanations
offered by Prasad et al in “There Must Be a Reason,” and by Washington and Haydn in the two
selections from Climate Change Denial, to analyze the history of the vaccination controversy
presented by Specter in “Vaccines and the Great Denial.” Be sure to define and employ relevant
key terms, which may include “motivated reasoning,” “denial arguments,” and “denial
movements.”Notes:
It is essential that you include in your essay specific references to the articles in the reading set,
and that you attribute any material that you summarize, quote, or paraphrase to its source. Base
your essay on the information contained in the set of readings, not on your own experience, on
outside readings, or on courses you have taken.