I don’t want to know this! The phenomenon of willful ignorance from a psychological perspective. 2500-PL-PS-FS-15

The course is dedicated to analyzing the phenomenon of willful ignorance — the conscious avoidance, omission, or rejection of information that may be cognitively or emotionally uncomfortable. This concept is relevant across many areas, ranging from individual decision-making and interpersonal relationships to broader social, political, and economic processes. The aim of the course is to foster reflection on why people — despite having access to information — often choose not to know, and to explore the consequences this has for individuals, groups, and societies. The course is divided into two modules. Theoretical module: introduces the construct of willful ignorance and its psychological foundations. Practical module: takes a workshop and research-oriented approach. In small teams, students design and conduct empirical studies on various manifestations of willful ignorance (e.g., avoiding information about climate change, health, inequality, or ethical consumption).