Cognitive polyphasia in the MMR controversy: a

theoretical and empirical investigation

Claudine Provencher

London School of Economics

Objectives

To examine the hypothesis of cognitive polyphasia through the MMR controversy

To propose a theoretical framework for the operationalisation of cognitive polyphasia

Research questions

From problematic health-related decisions to individual cognitions and actions?

The end of traditional partitions between types of knowledge?

Cognitive polyphasia: a bridge between SRT and social cognition?

The MMR vaccine controversy

Dr Wakefield’s study

Latest developments

A good case study?

Synchronic analysis

Model integrating elements of social cognition and theory of social representations

Two sets of hypotheses– Types of knowledge– Heuristic-systematic model bis

Typologies of knowledge

Bruner’s narrative vs paradigmatic

modes of cognitive functioning

Moscovici’s ‘formations mentales’

Gurvitch’s types of knowledge

Proposed modelCore background beliefs Individual circumstances

Modes of information processing

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are needed to see this picture.

•Social representations 1

•Social representations 2

•Social representations ‘n’

Heuristic Systematic Both

Gap between actualand desired levels of confidence

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• Ability

• Need to know

• Identity needs

Small

Cognitive monophasia

Large

Cognitivepolyphasia

Cognitivemonophasia

Methodology

Media analysis

Specialist interviews

Focus group discussions

Individual interviews

Results: 4 exemplars

“Science is enough”

“Science is enough but…”

“Science is not enough”

“Narratives are enough”

To conclude

My definition of cognitive polyphasia

Cognitive monophasia - a possibility

Pivotal role played by specific social

representations

Areas for further research