What do you believe is the single most important factor driving up the cost of living in Nigeria?

Governments and other policymakers around the world wrestle with how to deal with people who are skeptical of official positions and guidelines, such as climate skeptics and antivaxxers.

Earlier research has linked such skepticism to distrust of scientists among members of the public, while other studies have shown that it is difficult to erode skeptical attitudes that are psychologically motivated by factors such as bias against elite institutions or a conservative world view.

New research from the University of Cambridge, reported in the journal PLOS ONE, suggests a more tailored approach could help dispel some of this skepticism, which could have implications for the way governments deal with skepticism among their constituents.

"The research shows that there are other approaches than addressing these issues in a one-size-fits-all manner," said study co-author Dr. Zeynep Clulow from Cambridge Judge Business School. "There are different types of skeptics, so this requires different strategies aimed at dispelling skepticism."

"These findings can help policymakers develop more targeted strategies and focus more attention on groups that are persuadable, rather than being resigned to considering every skeptic to be some consistent conspiracist on every issue," said co-author Professor David Reiner, also from Cambridge Judge Business School.

• Read More