Biology & Sustainability
The Relationship Between Personal Ethical Norms and Attitudes Towards Science
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Subject Area
Biology & Sustainability
Start Date
11-4-2014 1:15 PM
End Date
11-4-2014 2:45 PM
Sponsor
Michael Bailey (Anderson University)
Description
Ma-Kellams and Blascovich published an article stating merely thinking about science increases moral behavior (2013). Some argue that science is morally neutral, but prone to forming specific attitudes (Levin, 2006). According to Forsyth's Ethics Position Theory, people often fall on a spectrum between relativism and idealism. The purpose of this study is to identify if there is a relationship between an individual's ethical norm and their attitude towards science. It is hypothesized that people with idealistic ethical norms could be predicted to have a more favorable attitude towards science (I). Conversely, it is also hypothesized that people with relativist ethical norms could be predicted to have unfavorable attitudes towards science (II). Furthermore, individuals with a declared science major could be predicted to be more idealistic and favorable towards science (III). In addition, individuals who are not science majors could be predicted to be more relativistic and either neutral or unfavorable towards science (IV). Two surveys were administered to science and non-science majors at a Christian liberal arts university in the Midwest. The Ethics Position Questionnaire (EPQ) was administered to characterize ethical norms and the Scientific Attitudes Instrument II (SAI II) was administered to gauge perception of science. Survey and demographic data was collected from 460 participants and analyzed using multiple regression. Hypotheses I and II were supported, respectively, (R2=.18, F(1, 453)=13.93, p<.01) and (R2=.17, F(1,453)=5.56, p<.01). There was a significant interaction between idealism and relativism, (p<.01). There was not a significant difference in idealism and relativism scores between majors.
The Relationship Between Personal Ethical Norms and Attitudes Towards Science
Indianapolis, IN
Ma-Kellams and Blascovich published an article stating merely thinking about science increases moral behavior (2013). Some argue that science is morally neutral, but prone to forming specific attitudes (Levin, 2006). According to Forsyth's Ethics Position Theory, people often fall on a spectrum between relativism and idealism. The purpose of this study is to identify if there is a relationship between an individual's ethical norm and their attitude towards science. It is hypothesized that people with idealistic ethical norms could be predicted to have a more favorable attitude towards science (I). Conversely, it is also hypothesized that people with relativist ethical norms could be predicted to have unfavorable attitudes towards science (II). Furthermore, individuals with a declared science major could be predicted to be more idealistic and favorable towards science (III). In addition, individuals who are not science majors could be predicted to be more relativistic and either neutral or unfavorable towards science (IV). Two surveys were administered to science and non-science majors at a Christian liberal arts university in the Midwest. The Ethics Position Questionnaire (EPQ) was administered to characterize ethical norms and the Scientific Attitudes Instrument II (SAI II) was administered to gauge perception of science. Survey and demographic data was collected from 460 participants and analyzed using multiple regression. Hypotheses I and II were supported, respectively, (R2=.18, F(1, 453)=13.93, p<.01) and (R2=.17, F(1,453)=5.56, p<.01). There was a significant interaction between idealism and relativism, (p<.01). There was not a significant difference in idealism and relativism scores between majors.