MENTAL MAPS OF SCIENCE - KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES AMONG CANADIAN ADULTS

This study addresses the question of the relationship between scientif ic knowledge and public attitudes toward science and technology. Gener al work on cognitive schemas suggest that these knowledge maps may hav e significant links to affect. A telephone survey of 2,000 Canadian ad ults was conducted and included a battery of knowledge items to test s cientific cognition on basic science concepts, to examine understandin g of science processes, and to tap technological literacy. The survey also examined attitudes toward science and scientists. Factor analysis of the attitude items resulted in two dimensions: trust in science an d feelings of efficacy on science issues. A structural equation model was applied to certain demographic antecedent variables (education, ex posure to science courses, age), the scientific literacy score, and to the attitude dimensions of trust and efficacy. Findings demonstrated that scientific literacy was positively correlated with attitudes of t rust and feelings of efficacy. These results were explained in terms o f potential positive exposure to science in general in formal science training (in schools) as well as to informal information sources such as the media.