{"data":[{"id":281,"submitterId":674,"answerId":86,"questionText":"

How can you support loved ones who believe they can sense 5G and mobile phone radiation and that this is harming them? After all, there is no scientific evidence for the existence of such negative effects. What should you do if a loved one seems resistant to scientific facts?

","questionShort":"How can you reassure people who are afraid of mobile phone radiation and are resistant to facts?","note":"This is more of a medical question than one relating to communication theory; it is not within my field of research.","easyLanguage":false,"userBackground":"of general interest","precision":4,"duration":7,"attachment":null,"thumbnail":null,"confidential":false,"status":"PUBLISHED","assignedExpertId":608,"assignedExpert":{"id":608,"firstName":"Marc","lastName":"Wittmann ","slug":"marc-wittmann","image":"4af2cb5d-4a4f-40f2-b5f1-09cdfb238d55.webp","title":"Dr.","organization":{"id":672,"name":"Institut für Grenzgebiete der Psychologie und Psychohygiene"},"knowledgeCharacter":{"title":"observer","bgColor":"lightred","textColor":"red","description":"Die Beobachter:in ist aufmerksam und sensibel für Feinheiten, die anderen entgehen. Sie nimmt sich für ihre Betrachtungen Zeit und vermeidet schnelle Urteile. Im Gespräch gibt sie wertvolle Hinweise, ohne ihr Gegenüber überzeugen oder überreden zu wollen.","image":"beobachterin.webp"}},"createdAt":"2025-01-31T06:47:05+00:00","updatedAt":"2025-02-17T19:05:37+00:00","submitter":{"id":674,"email":null,"firstName":"Julia","lastName":"Früh","image":null,"title":null},"answer":{"id":86,"expertId":608,"answerText":"

This is, of course, an extremely difficult question, particularly as it is not purely a question of knowledge, but rather aims to bring about a change in a person’s behaviour, about whom no information is available here (nor should there be).

Selective perception

To put it succinctly: we all have selective perception. This means that, from all the information available in our free society, we select the information that best fits our subjective identity. Furthermore, we are all social beings and adapt our opinions to the milieu to which we feel we belong. This affects not only opinions, but also behaviour. To take a non-political example: if you are surrounded by many keen sports enthusiasts, you will naturally exercise more yourself, without necessarily realising this connection. This is also evident in fashion. Because the people in the social circle to which one belongs dress in a certain way, have certain hairstyles, and wear specific hats and glasses, the individual’s outward appearance changes, and their opinions are shaped accordingly.

Reinforcement through social circles and the media

It could therefore be the case that the person you know moves in a circle of acquaintances where the topic of mobile phone radiation is discussed with particular emotion. An analogy is helpful here. An alcoholic who wants to become abstinent should keep away from their drinking companions. You can see how difficult this is when it comes to social issues, if one’s circle of acquaintances consists of activists in the mobile phone radiation movement. Furthermore, digital media act as amplifiers of one’s own opinions. Selective perception means that, above all, we tend to read information that confirms our own views.

A sudden turnaround is unlikely

Sometimes it is disasters that bring about a sudden turnaround, for example in the technology sector or in politics. However, this will not be the case with the issue of mobile phone radiation. This is the strength of some conspiracy theories: whilst they are never scientifically confirmed, they are also never refuted. After all, one could also (often quite rightly) argue that scientific studies are not properly designed. This shows that rational arguments achieve very little. Changing one’s circle of acquaintances would be far more effective. But that is not within their control.

","answerShort":"The strength of some conspiracy theories lies in the fact that, whilst they are never scientifically confirmed, they are never scientifically disproved either.","attachment":null,"precision":0,"thanksMsg":null,"thanksType":null,"thanksCode":"9a1577b918","createdAt":"2025-02-07T12:34:07+00:00","updatedAt":"2025-02-15T16:19:27+00:00","expert":{"id":608,"firstName":"Marc","lastName":"Wittmann ","slug":"marc-wittmann","image":"4af2cb5d-4a4f-40f2-b5f1-09cdfb238d55.webp","title":"Dr.","organization":{"id":672,"name":"Institut für Grenzgebiete der Psychologie und Psychohygiene"},"knowledgeCharacter":{"title":"observer","bgColor":"lightred","textColor":"red","description":"Die Beobachter:in ist aufmerksam und sensibel für Feinheiten, die anderen entgehen. Sie nimmt sich für ihre Betrachtungen Zeit und vermeidet schnelle Urteile. Im Gespräch gibt sie wertvolle Hinweise, ohne ihr Gegenüber überzeugen oder überreden zu wollen.","image":"beobachterin.webp"}},"ratings":{"useful":1,"inspiring":1,"perplexing":0}},"knowledgeAreas":[{"id":11,"name":"Science communication","slug":"wissenschaftskommunikation","description":null,"status":"approved","createdByUserId":null},{"id":556,"name":"Consciousness","slug":"bewusstsein","description":null,"status":"approved","createdByUserId":null}],"ratings":{"useful":2,"inspiring":0,"perplexing":0,"notUseful":0}}],"pagination":{"currentPage":1,"pageSize":24,"totalPages":1,"totalCount":1}}

Consciousness

Researchers

Marc Wittmann

Questions

How can you reassure people who are afraid of mobile phone radiation and are resistant to facts?