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...
Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
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BMC
2018-03-01
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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. |
first_indexed | 2024-12-10T08:36:26Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-ca95da2ac4ca4df5814cf0894bbf1d51 |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 1936-6426 1936-6434 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-12-10T08:36:26Z |
publishDate | 2018-03-01 |
publisher | BMC |
record_format | Article |
series | Evolution: Education and Outreach |
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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