Are Biological Science Knowledge, Interests, and Science Identity Framed by Religious and Political Perspectives in the United States?

Authors

Joseph C. Jochman, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Alexis Swendener, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Julia McQuillan, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Luke Novack, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

8-3-2018

Citation

Published in The Sociological Quarterly, 59:4 (2018), pp 584-602.

doi 10.1080/00380253.2018.1481726

Comments

Copyright © 2018 Midwest Sociological Society. Published by Taylor & Francis. Used by permission.

Abstract

Science trust and views of science differ by political and religious orientations. In this study we examine whether political and religious perspectives are also associated with biological science knowledge, science interest, and general science identity. Results show that conservative Protestants have lower biological science knowledge than other religious groups on several specific topics. Party affiliation is associated with vaccine knowledge but not science interest and identity. Adjusting for demographic characteristics explains some political and religious group differences, but not all. We discuss implications regarding attention to potential political and religious framings of science topics in public education efforts.