Nobel disease

High school (ages 12+)
Thinking & Learning

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/nobel-disease

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the term?Nobel disease (or Nobelitis)
2. What is the contributing factor?The perceived authority and expertise granted by the Nobel Prize
3. Why do Nobel winners sometimes believe silly ideas?Winning a Nobel can give them a lot of confidence and authority, and they may feel they can talk about many topics even if they aren't experts in those areas.
4. How does Nobel disease affect science?It can make people trust unproven ideas more because the Nobel winner's name is attached, which can slow down progress and make it harder for new ideas to be accepted.

Laureate: A recipient of a prestigious award, such as the Nobel Prize.
Scientifically unsound: Lacking a basis in scientific evidence, principles, or methodology.
Paradigm shift: A fundamental change in the basic concepts and experimental practices of a scientific discipline.
Cognitive bias: A systematic pattern of deviation from norm or rationality in judgment.