Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

The Sociology Of Trust In Science: Evaluating And Predicting Levels Of Scientism In Indiana Residents, Sohinee Bera

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

While science is traditionally regarded as an enterprise based on evidence, objectivity, and empirical data, its image in the eyes of the general population depends largely on trust. Most nonscientists do not have the expertise to understand specialized scientific evidence. Without the ability to engage with scientific knowledge firsthand, individuals may reject scientific claims based on their trust or distrust of science, especially if that claim contradicts their thinking. Therefore, interpretations of science and its role as a credible decision- making cue vary among individuals. Th e objectives of this research were to evaluate levels of scientism, or public trust …