Confidence in the scientific community declined among U.S. adults in 2022, a major survey shows, driven by a a partisan divide that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest results from the General Social Survey found that 39% had a great deal of confidence in the scientific community. That's down from 48% in 2021 and 2018. In the latest poll, 53% of Democrats and 22% of Republicans reported a great deal of confidence in science. The poll also shows a loss of trust in some other institutions like education, major companies and the press
although I do wonder how much the absolute values are affected by the wording of the survey…
I wonder the same. My own confidence in scientific studies has been shaken by corporate science and the fact that our economic system affects what’s funded, studied, and concluded. But my trust in the method and principles of science is still absolute.
What scares me, and what I suspect is reflected in that 22% number, is how many people say the method and principles are bogus, or variations on that theme.
22% is distressingly low, especially given it’s on a downward trend still.
Plot from the article, for those who didn’t click through:
Edit: although I do wonder how much the absolute values are affected by the wording of the survey…
I wonder the same. My own confidence in scientific studies has been shaken by corporate science and the fact that our economic system affects what’s funded, studied, and concluded. But my trust in the method and principles of science is still absolute.
What scares me, and what I suspect is reflected in that 22% number, is how many people say the method and principles are bogus, or variations on that theme.