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An international team of 241 researchers has examined trust in scientists in 68 countries. Marlene Altenmüller from ZPID is part of a 68-country survey.
Despite oft-repeated claims of a crisis of trust in science, the results, published in Nature Human Behaviour find that most people in most countries have relatively high levels of trust in scientists. Further, a majority of survey participants believe that scientists should be more involved in society and policymaking. The survey is led by Dr. Viktoria Cologna (Harvard University, ETH Zurich) and Dr. Niels G. Mede (University of Zurich).
The results show that most people in most countries have relatively high trust in scientists and want them to play an active role in society and policymaking. This study is the result of the TISP Many Labs study, a collaborative effort that allowed the authors to survey 71,922 people in 68 countries, including many under-researched countries in the ‘Global South’. The study is the most comprehensive post-pandemic snapshot of trust in scientists, societal expectations of their involvement in society and policymaking, and public views on research priorities.
Across 68 countries, the study finds that a majority of the public have relatively high trust in scientists (mean trust level = 3.62, on a scale from 1 = very low trust to 5 = very high trust). Majorities also perceive scientists to be qualified (78%), honest (57%), and concerned about people’s well-being (56%).
A majority of survey participants are in favor of science playing an active role in society and policymaking. Globally, 83% of respondents believe that scientists should communicate about science with the general public. Only a minority (23%) believes that scientists should not actively advocate for specific policies. 52% believe that scientists should be more involved in the policymaking process.
That said, the findings do confirm the results of previous studies that show substantial differences between countries and population groups. In particular, in Western countries, people with right-wing political views have less trust in scientists than those with left-wing views. However, in most countries, political orientation and trust in scientists were unrelated.
https://leibniz-psychology.org/en/profile-marlene-altenmueller
ma@leibniz-psychology.org
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-024-02090-5
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-024-02090-5
https://de.in-mind.org/blog/post/vertraut-die-welt-noch-wissenschaftlerinnen-und...
https://leibniz-psychology.org/en/news/detail/people-still-trust-scientists
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