A study of attitudes towards science and scientists of some members of the class of 1962 at the University of Delaware

Abstract

A study was undertaken of the attitudes towards science and scientists of the freshman class at the University of Delaware in March 1959. The students were polled by means of a composite questionnaire taken from earlier instruments that had been used in three nation-wide surveys at the time of the launching of the first Sputnik and prior to it in order to compare attitudes at the two different periods. The results indicate a somewhat more prevalent positive image of science and scientists among the Delaware freshmen than among the earlier national sampling. However, the lack of real understanding of science and the negative image held by a large minority of the subjects require discussion of the sources of the image in our society. Among other sources, the role of formal education is discussed, and suggestions are made with regard to the teaching of science.