The Age of Science Denial

• In Event: Science, Technology, and Public Opinion

Abstract

Multiple factors predict views of science; however, age may also provide an explanation. Age not only precedes other identities and worldviews, but it also determines events, experiences, and subsequent memories which may influence long-term views. Because prior research suggested 1) older populations are more likely to reject contemporary science and 2) there was overlapping decline of trust in both science and government during older populations’ formative years, we analyze aggregate data to ascertain age cohorts’ trust in science, trust in government, and trust in science with government involvement. We find not only are individuals 65 or older more likely than younger populations to distrust science, but this cohort is even less likely to display trust on topics where science and government merge. Younger cohorts’ growing confidence in science further supports our hypothesis that age and relative experiences, more so than other factors, may predict how Americans view science.

Authors

• Laura D Young, Georgia Gwinnett College

• Erin B. Fitz, Colorado State University