The number of Americans who say science has a positive effect on society has fallen since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a recent survey by Pew Research Center.
Americans report a decline in public trust in scientists, decreasing eight percentage points since November 2021 and down 16 points since the start of the coronavirus outbreak.
Released November 14, 2023, the Pew Research Center report is based on a survey of 8,842 of U.S. adults conducted September 25 through October 1, 2023.
A Few Quick Thoughts
I wouldn’t say I was surprised by the results in the report, rather I was disappointed to learn other Americans have decreased their trust in science and scientists.
During a time of pandemic, I’ve held out a sliver of hope Americans would place more trust in science and scientists.
My thoughts: I have a high level of confidence in science and scientists.
Even more than before the pandemic.
Some may call me biased since my college degree is in science.
The Pew Research report goes into detail about their findings, based on education, political leaning, race, and ethnicity.
Personally, I wish they had included findings based on gender.
Key Takeaways
- A majority of Americans (73%) have a great deal or fair confidence in scientists acting in the public’s best interests while 27% say they don’t have much or have no confidence in scientists to act in the public’s best interest
- Differences in levels of trust is sharply divided based on political parties. Up from 14% in April 2020, almost four in ten Republicans (38%) say they don’t have much or have no confidence at all in scientists compared to Democrats at 13%.
- Less than half of Republicans (47%) say science has had a mostly positive effect on society, compared to 70% of Republicans in 2019
- Almost seven in 10 (69%) of Democrats say science has been mostly positive, compared to 77% in 2019
- Most Americans (78%) view government investments in scientific research as worthwhile for society
- Trust in scientists has declined since 2020, but so has trust in other groups and institutions, including police officers, public school principals, religious leaders, journalists, business leaders, and elected officials
- Trust in scientists to act in the best interests of the public rises with education: people with a bachelor’s degree or more education having a great deal or fair amount of confidence (80%)
- Asian adults have the highest confidence in scientists (80%) compared to White (72%), Black (71%), and Hispanic (69%) adults
- Impacts of science on society differs across racial and ethnic groups. Almost eight of 10 (79%) of Asian adults and 60% of White adults say science has had a mostly positive impact. Only 49% of Hispanic adults and 46% of Black adults agree.
The report describes more details and provides helpful graphs about their findings in regards to their findings.
Did any of the survey results surprise you?
