Open to all Social Sciences staff and students.
The intersection between people who could extinguish humanity and people who would extinguish humanity is extremely dangerous, but no one knows how many people are in the latter set. To estimate the prevalence of omnicidal tendencies, we presented participants with a hypothetical Doomsday Button. By stipulation, pressing the Doomsday Button triggers extinction. Across three studies, over 11% of participants affirmed that they would press the button immediately (Yes responses). Expanding the scope of extinction or increasing the attendant suffering reduced, but did not eliminate, Yes responses. Yes respondents typically (i) scored low on subjective wellbeing, (ii) scored high on psychopathy, impulsiveness, and risk-taking, and (iii) believed that someone they know would press the button. Our findings reveal a depth of pro-extinction sentiment that was previously unrecognised. If even a small proportion of professed intentions translate to actual behaviour, omnicidal tendencies represent a significant hazard.
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About the speaker
Professor Rob Jenkins
Department of Psychology, University of York
