Public Perceptions of Science, Scientists, and Seafood Risks

Transcription

1 Public Perceptions of Science, Scientists, and Seafood Risks Tom Safford Dept. of Sociology and Carsey Institute Faculty Research Excellence Seminar Series April 29, 2014

2 Overview Sociological contributions to the scientific study of environmental concerns Social bases of attitudes, values, and beliefs Sociology of science and technology NEST project Public perceptions of science and seafood safety Parallels / divergences from scientific community Science and organizational behavior Global health and environmental concerns Parallel research on science and risk perceptions in Brazil Questions and discussion

3 Public Perceptions of Science and Scientists Existing studies of perceptions of science NSF, AAAS, USDA, NOAA Long standing consideration within GSS Key question: How can the work of social scientist inform the practice (and application) of science? Granite State Poll March 2014 Random-digit-dial survey of 510 residents of NH Included land-lines and cellular phones Probability weights used to adjust for sample effects

4 Attitudes About Science Overall, science does more harm than good. Agree: 12% Neutral: 3% Disagree: 85% We believe too much in science and not enough in feelings and faith. Agree: 30% Neutral: 9% Disagree: 61% Scientists do not put enough effort into informing the public about new developments in science and technology. Agree: 50% Neutral: 6% Disagree: 44% When I hear about scientific studies, I worry that the findings of those studies are influenced by companies or organizations sponsoring them. Agree: 81% Neutral: 4% Disagree: 16%

5 I worry scientific findings are influenced by orgs. sponsoring them Scientists do not put enough effort into informing the public

6 Beliefs about Seafood Safety I worry about seafood being contaminated with bacteria that makes it unsafe to eat. Agree: 59% Neutral: 3% Disagree: 38% Local seafood from New England is safer to eat than seafood from other places. Agree: 66% Neutral: 8% Disagree: 26% When I shop for seafood, price matters more than whether it is local. Agree: 29% Neutral: 7% Disagree: 64% I buy less local seafood when I hear about problems with bacterial contamination or red tides in New England. Agree: 72% Neutral: 6% Disagree: 22%

7 Modeling Science and Seafood Safety Preliminary results from modeling using multivariate logistic regression (controlling for social background factors) Those who are concerned about the funding sources for scientific studies are more likely to.. worry about seafood contamination believe local seafood is safer buy less seafood when hearing an advisory about contamination

8 Key Future Social Science Questions Understanding multiple-dimensions of public perceptions of science and scientists Distinguish between different types (e.g. production vs. impact science) Consider perceptions of economic information / science Science and organizational behavior Consider assessment / use by different organizational actors Understand how beliefs about the public shapes behavior Assess role of institutional capacity and inter-organizational relations Establish broader links to social-cultural contexts ME/NH to U.S. U.S. to Brazil and beyond

9 Acknowledgements National Science Foundation EPSCoR NEST team UNH Survey Center / Carsey Institute Catherine Lee, Melissa Day, Megan Henly, Michelle Renk

10 Questions or Comments?

11 Trust, Attitudes, and Beliefs Sci does more harm than good Too much sci more faith Not enough effort informing public Worry about orgs funding sci Str disagree Neutral Str Agree Level of agreement

12 Trust in Scientists Many different kinds of scientists provide information that is used to inform government policy. For each of the following types of scientists, please tell us how much you trust or distrust them to advise elected officials on important science-based policy Public health scientists who study the safety of the food we eat Trust : 62% Neutral: 4% Distrust: 34% Environmental scientists who study how pollution affects the oceans Trust : 72% Neutral: 5% Distrust: 23%

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14 Buy less when hear of contam. Sci does more harm than good Local seafood is safer Too much sci more faith Worry about seafood bacteria Not enough effort informing public Price matters more than local Worry about orgs funding sci Str disagree Neutral Str Agree Level of agreement Str disagree Neutral Str Agree Level of agreement

15 Perceptions of Seafood Safety Buy less when hear of contam. Local seafood is safer Worry about seafood bacteria Price matters more than local Str disagree Neutral Str Agree Level of agreement