The Importance of Understanding the Nature of Science for Accepting Evolution |
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Authors: | Tania Lombrozo Anastasia Thanukos Michael Weisberg |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, 3210 Tolman Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA;(2) Museum of Paleontology, University of California, 1101 Valley Life Sciences Building, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA;(3) Department of Philosophy, University of Pennsylvania, 433 Logan Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA |
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Abstract: | Many students reject evolutionary theory, whether or not they adequately understand basic evolutionary concepts. We explore
the hypothesis that accepting evolution is related to understanding the nature of science. In particular, students may be
more likely to accept evolution if they understand that a scientific theory is provisional but reliable, that scientists employ
diverse methods for testing scientific claims, and that relating data to theory can require inference and interpretation.
In a study with university undergraduates, we find that accepting evolution is significantly correlated with understanding
the nature of science, even when controlling for the effects of general interest in science and past science education. These
results highlight the importance of understanding the nature of science for accepting evolution. We conclude with a discussion
of key characteristics of science that challenge a simple portrayal of the scientific method and that we believe should be emphasized in classrooms. |
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Keywords: | Accepting evolution Understanding evolution Nature of science Philosophy of science |
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