A study of public-policy debates found that participants exposed to detailed information about a complex issue often expressed more confidence in their initial positions afterwards, regardless of whether the information actually supported those positions. Some participants reported that the new details "made it clearer" that their existing view was correct, even when shown evidence inconsistent with that view.
Which inference is most strongly supported by the passage?
- A
Additional information always changes participants' positions on policy issues
- B
Policy debates produce only random shifts in opinion
- Ccheck_circle
The way new information is integrated into existing views may not be neutral with respect to those views
- D
Participants in policy debates lack any pre-existing positions
Explanation
Increased confidence even when evidence is inconsistent supports B. A, C, D contradict the findings.