The Study Of The Effect Of Social Class On Public Understanding Of Science: A Case Of Isfahan City Citizens

علوم اجتماعی دانشگاه فردوسی مشهد

Article 4, Volume 11, Issue 1 - Serial Number 23, September 2014, Pages 125-154   

Document Type: Scientific-Research

DOI: 10.22067/jss.v11i1.15414

Authors

Seyed Ali Hashemianfar; Ali RabbaniKhorasgani; Zahra Maher^*

University of Isfahan

Abstract

This research aims at examining the influence of social class on the public understanding of science and seeks to explain public understanding of science thorough "social class " concept.
The population is comprised of all the residents of Isfahan city (all above 15 years of age)among whom ,a sample of 384 individuals has been selected using a quota sampling technique.. This study is designed as a survey . Data have been analyzed by SPSS and AMOS software. Following are the most important results obtained from the present study:
The mean of the citizens' interest in science and technology is above the average level.
The majority of the citizens show positive attitudes toward science and technology , but the estimate of their scientific knowledge is under the average level.
Also, according to the "Tukey test" , the paired comparison between the mean scores of the indices related to public understanding of science in different classes showed that the higher the social class, the higher the individuals' understanding of scienceand technology concepts. It can be expected, therefore, that by closing the social gaps among people, society will be led to a more science-oriented society. In structural equation modeling ,the "social class" variable showed a gamma coefficient of 0/66 . thus ,this variable has had a significant effect on public understanding of science between citizens. Fit indices shows that specified model supports the collected data. the upper social classes , have more understanding of and interest in science and technology .

Keywords

public understanding of science; Social Class; interest in scientific issues; attitude toward science and technology; level of scientific knowledge; understanding of scientific concepts