Exploring the Impact of Social Inequality and Education on Trust in Science Attitudes across 50 Countries

• In Event: 21020 - Section on Sociology of Education Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 1: Science, Technology, and Education

Abstract

Trust in science attitudes not only enhances the vitality of scientific endeavors but also contributes to the overall well-being of society. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has suggested that social inequality and education are related to trust in science attitudes. To comprehend the relationships between social inequality, education, and trust in science attitudes, we explore the following questions: (1) How is social inequality related to trust in science? (2) How does social inequality influence the role of education in maintaining trust in science attitudes? Analyzing the Wave Seven data from the World Value Survey across 50 countries, we find that, in general, social inequality decreases the trust in science across countries. People are less likely to trust science in societies where social inequality increases. While individuals’ education is positively associated with trust in science, the association weakens as social inequality increases, suggesting that in the face of severe social inequalities, individuals’ education fails to sustain their trust in science.

Authors

• Yapeng Wang, Renmin University of China

• Qingyan Wang, University of Georgia