They are both generally true. In the absence of data, people default towards their emotional connections. Ie, a cancer survivor donating to a cancer charity. But if someone could provide data showing persuasively that you can save 10x more lives via malaria charities, that would often override the emotional appeals for many people.
It's much easier to give in to your emotions, when you aren't encumbered by contradictory data.
It's much easier to give in to your emotions, when you aren't encumbered by contradictory data.