Why Are Statistics So Alluring?

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how people, in general, like to get a visual picture of what they are hearing about and how, through the media and constant representation of statistical data as hard fact, numbers can control people's opinions on issues. It shows how one of the largest issues regarding statistics and their appealing nature is the fact that most of us are innumerate. It also shows how, in addition to innumeracy, the public's opinion of ideas often leads to skewed views on issues; statistics can become so alluring to activists that they can say something that will change a large group of people's minds on an issue, and then they will get what they want.

From the Paper:

"Although even though some statistics are wrong, people want to believe them so bad that they will ignore all logic just so that they will have a numerical view of the situation. Perhaps the biggest real life example of this is a social statistic that Joel Best-in his book Damned Lies and Statistics-describes as "The worst social statistic ever... Every year since 1950, the number American children gunned down has doubled" (Best 1). To anyone using this statistic to promote gun control, this statistic is gold, and it sounds believable too. But if you analyze it you'll find otherwise."

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