Cultural cognition is the theory that people's cultural values and beliefs shape their perceptions and interpretations of information. This means that individuals often align their understanding of facts with the views of their social groups, leading to different interpretations of the same evidence based on cultural backgrounds. This phenomenon can influence public opinion on various issues, such as climate change, healthcare, and gun control. As a result, discussions around these topics can become polarized, as individuals prioritize their cultural identities over objective data, making it challenging to reach a consensus on important societal matters.