Page 29 - Standard Indicators for the social appropriation of science

Beliefs

Figure 4. Self-assessment of belief levels 24

Beliefs play a key role in human cognition and Levels of belief are related to the degree
can modify our psychological state and even participants endorse the legitimacy of the
our behaviour. Interestingly, recent studies science statements presented, and therefore,
suggest that believing in science can play the the legitimacy of the scientific approach
same compensatory role as the one usually before and after the SCs. These levels can be
associated with religious belief. 28 related to different factors, from the perceived
scientific consensus to their daily experiences,
As for trust measurement, participants also related to their perceptions. In the case
had a strong belief in science relations of climate change, students may perceive
with social issues for climate change and there is a scientific consensus on the cause of
vaccines, while levels of disbelief were greater climate change and that is reflected in the high
for GMOs and CAM. Again, after the science beliefs in climate change before and after the
camp activities, the levels of beliefs regarding SC. In the case of vaccines, although in some
vaccines slightly exceed those regarding countries the anti-vaccines movements may
climate change. In both cases, though, the levels be arousing, there is still a strong belief in the
of belief were strengthened, even though they benefits of vaccinating children. The opposite
were very high before the activity. It is important happens with GMOs and CAM. For the former,
to highlight that the highest level of belief the differences between the European laws
increased in all topics except for GMOs, in which applied to GMOs and all the benefits scientists
the disbelief seems to be slightly reinforced. claim they have, make participants perceive
scientists may be biased and exaggerate their
Students show low levels of uncertainty and benefits, this can be reflected in the reinforcing
disbelief for climate change and vaccines. of disbelief for this topic. Finally, in the case
However, for GMOs and CAM more than of CAM, their beliefs may be influenced by
half of the participants placed themselves their daily experiences and the distrust of
as not sure or disbelieving the statements. pharmaceutical industries, and the belief there
These doubts slightly decreased after the is not as much research and information as
training activity in general, apart from GMOs. there is for western conventional drugs.

28. a) Farias, M., Newheiser, A. K., Kahane, G., & de Toledo, Z. (2013). Scientific faith: Belief in science increases in
the face of stress and existential anxiety. Journal of experimental social psychology, 49(6), 1210-1213; b) Uzarevic, F.,
& Coleman III, T. J. (2020). The psychology of nonbelievers. Current Opinion in Psychology, 40, 131-138

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