In environmental, health and technology crises, Americans are more persuaded to take action by scientists and public consensus than by leaders in government and industry, according to a study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences by researchers at Boston College and Princeton University.

Across four studies involving roughly 55,000 individuals, Americans revealed they were especially influenced when both scientists and ordinary citizens supported a solution, said Boston College Assistant Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience Gregg Sparkman, senior author of the study.

“What surprised us was how consistently the combined voice of scientists and ordinary citizens mattered across issues and partisans, even when governments and companies opposed action,” said Sparkman. “Americans were still encouraged to act when scientists and ordinary citizens jointly expressed support for solutions.”