Scientific reasoning ability does not predict scientific views on evolution among religious individuals

Abstract Background Acceptance of evolutionary theory varies widely and is often associated with religious background. Some have suggested there exists an additional relationship between scientific reasoning ability and the acceptance of evolutionary theory. In this study, we used structural equatio...

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Main Authors: Katie F. Manwaring, Jamie L. Jensen, Richard A. Gill, Richard R. Sudweeks, Randall S. Davies, Seth M. Bybee
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2018-03-01
Series:Evolution: Education and Outreach
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12052-018-0076-8
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author Katie F. Manwaring
Jamie L. Jensen
Richard A. Gill
Richard R. Sudweeks
Randall S. Davies
Seth M. Bybee
author_facet Katie F. Manwaring
Jamie L. Jensen
Richard A. Gill
Richard R. Sudweeks
Randall S. Davies
Seth M. Bybee
author_sort Katie F. Manwaring
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Acceptance of evolutionary theory varies widely and is often associated with religious background. Some have suggested there exists an additional relationship between scientific reasoning ability and the acceptance of evolutionary theory. In this study, we used structural equation modeling to test whether scientific reasoning ability predicts religiosity, acceptance of creationist views, or acceptance of evolution. We administered internet-based surveys to 724 individuals nationwide who self-describe as being religious and built a structural-equation model to test predictive abilities. Results We found that while religiosity positively predicts the acceptance of creationist views and negatively predicts the acceptance of evolution, scientific reasoning ability does not predict religiosity, acceptance of creationist views, or acceptance of evolutionary theory. Conclusions With a lack of any relationship between scientific reasoning ability and acceptance, an approach to evolution education that focuses on appealing to scientific reasoning may prove fruitless in changing student attitudes toward evolution; alternative teaching approaches regarding evolution are warranted.
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spelling doaj.art-ca95da2ac4ca4df5814cf0894bbf1d512022-12-22T01:55:58ZengBMCEvolution: Education and Outreach1936-64261936-64342018-03-011111910.1186/s12052-018-0076-8Scientific reasoning ability does not predict scientific views on evolution among religious individualsKatie F. Manwaring0Jamie L. Jensen1Richard A. Gill2Richard R. Sudweeks3Randall S. Davies4Seth M. Bybee5Department of Biology, 4102 LSB, Brigham Young UniversityDepartment of Biology, 4102 LSB, Brigham Young UniversityDepartment of Biology, 4102 LSB, Brigham Young UniversityDepartment of Instructional Psychology & Technology, 150 MCKB, Brigham Young UniversityDepartment of Instructional Psychology & Technology, 150 MCKB, Brigham Young UniversityDepartment of Biology, 4102 LSB, Brigham Young UniversityAbstract Background Acceptance of evolutionary theory varies widely and is often associated with religious background. Some have suggested there exists an additional relationship between scientific reasoning ability and the acceptance of evolutionary theory. In this study, we used structural equation modeling to test whether scientific reasoning ability predicts religiosity, acceptance of creationist views, or acceptance of evolution. We administered internet-based surveys to 724 individuals nationwide who self-describe as being religious and built a structural-equation model to test predictive abilities. Results We found that while religiosity positively predicts the acceptance of creationist views and negatively predicts the acceptance of evolution, scientific reasoning ability does not predict religiosity, acceptance of creationist views, or acceptance of evolutionary theory. Conclusions With a lack of any relationship between scientific reasoning ability and acceptance, an approach to evolution education that focuses on appealing to scientific reasoning may prove fruitless in changing student attitudes toward evolution; alternative teaching approaches regarding evolution are warranted.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12052-018-0076-8MacroevolutionScience educationScientific reasoningReligiosityCreationism
spellingShingle Katie F. Manwaring
Jamie L. Jensen
Richard A. Gill
Richard R. Sudweeks
Randall S. Davies
Seth M. Bybee
Scientific reasoning ability does not predict scientific views on evolution among religious individuals
Evolution: Education and Outreach
Macroevolution
Science education
Scientific reasoning
Religiosity
Creationism
title Scientific reasoning ability does not predict scientific views on evolution among religious individuals
title_full Scientific reasoning ability does not predict scientific views on evolution among religious individuals
title_fullStr Scientific reasoning ability does not predict scientific views on evolution among religious individuals
title_full_unstemmed Scientific reasoning ability does not predict scientific views on evolution among religious individuals
title_short Scientific reasoning ability does not predict scientific views on evolution among religious individuals
title_sort scientific reasoning ability does not predict scientific views on evolution among religious individuals
topic Macroevolution
Science education
Scientific reasoning
Religiosity
Creationism
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12052-018-0076-8
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