HOTCGW: Story vs. Statistics

Question 1

Viewpoint 1: The story

Answer 1

Video anecdote of Wendell Johnson and his experiment that caused kids to stutter
Proved his theory that stuttering was caused by shaming and a discouraging environment

Question 2

View point 2: The statistics

Answer 2

Charts with numbers of a twin study
Claimed stuttering was caused by genetic component

Question 3

Story was…

Answer 3

More emotional
Cause of stuttering
Environmental
More impactful
More interesting
More memorable
More believable

Question 4

Statistics was…

Answer 4

Less emotional
Cause biological
Less impact
Less interesting
Less memorable
Less believable

Question 5

We prefer stories over statistics because…

Answer 5

Stories are more relatable, easy to digest, not filled with jargon, and plays on our emotions.

More interesting and have attention-grabbing characteristics (personal, related to someone real, vivid, clear impression, emotional, evokes feelings)

Stories are easier to relate and seems more credible (system 1 thinking)

Question 6

But for stories, we fail to appreciate…

Answer 6

Stories have potential limitations such as:
Flawed memory
Some details more emphasized or de-emphasized or even left out
May contain distortions to:
Make story seem interesting
Serve self interest
Make it seem more credible

Question 7

Why are we less likely to prefer statistics?

Answer 7

Impersonal, people reduced to numbers
Emotionless, abstract, dry and boring
Intimidating, technical jargon
Transparent, no drama
Depends on system 2 thinking may be too much work

Question 8

But for stats, we fail to appreciate that…

Answer 8

Stats are usually more credible because they are objective, representative, quantitative, and vetted by experts