Climate change is a pressing global issue that demands collective action. However, a significant proportion of the Australian public remains sceptical about the reality, causes, and impacts of climate change, hindering efforts to address this critical challenge. While existing research has primarily focused on socio-demographic and value factors contributing to climate change scepticism, this research delves into psychological factors. In this study, published in the Public Understanding of Science journal, researchers aimed to investigate whether locus of control, information processing style, and anti-reflexivity could predict climate change scepticism beyond socio-demographic and value-based factors. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, collecting data from 390 participants through an electronic survey. The survey responses were subjected to hierarchical regression analysis to identify the psychological predictors of climate change scepticism.

The findings suggest that interventions targeting these psychological aspects, such as promoting trust in reflexive forces and fostering a sense of personal control, could be effective in mitigating climate change scepticism. Moreover, the identification of qualitative themes provides valuable insights for tailoring communication strategies to address specific concerns and misconceptions among sceptical individuals. By incorporating these findings into climate communication strategies, policymakers and advocates can work towards fostering a more informed and united approach to tackle this existential threat.