Dear Helen
The following references come from the psci-comlit database (http://psci-com.ac.uk/pscicomlit/) on public engagement and may be of interest.
1) Raza, G.; Singh, S. Cultural distance between peoples' worldview and scientific knowledge in the area of public health. JCOM [Journal of Science Communication] Vol.3, No.4, 2004
This paper aims to measure public understanding of science in the area of health and hygiene and also to test the efficacy of the "cultural distance model". A survey of 3484 people in India was conducted to assess the distance between five scientific concepts and people's daily lives. Participants were questioned in six subject areas: astronomy and cosmology, geography and climate, agriculture, health and hygiene, biotechnology and environment. Formal education in developing countries is as strong influence in shaping cultural structures and opinions, but there is a 'cultural distance' between scientific explanations of natural occurences and the complexity of people's thoughts. Comprehension; Health attitudes; India;
2) Hipkins, R. Commonsense, trust and science : how patterns of beliefs and attitudes to science pose challenges for effective communication. Wellington, New Zealand : Ministry of Research, Science and Technology, 2002, 140 p. New Zealand
3) Dissanayake, V. H. W.; Simpson, R.; Jayasekara, R. W. Attitudes towards the new genetic and assisted reproductive technologies in Sri Lanka: a preliminary report. New Genetics and Society Vol.21, No.1, pp.65 - 74
The ethical and social debate about new reproductive technologies is transferred from Europe and North America to the Asian landscape. Results of this survey suggest that many doctors are now more receptive to new technologies such as genetic counselling, prenatal diagnosis and therapeutic abortion than was suggested by a previous study conducted in 1986. Cultural ideas about re-birth and fate are shown to have influenced the respondents attitude to technologies such as cloning, which is viewed more positively than it is in the west because of Buddhist beliefs regarding the origins of life. In the conclusion the authors recommend that the ethical debate should take on a more global and ethnically diverse perspective, taking into consideration this new evidence
4) Figueroa, R. [ed.]; Harding, S. [ed.] Science and other cultures : issues in philosophies of science and technology. New York, NY ; London : Routledge, 2003
Regards
Louise
Louise Simon
Wellcome Library for the History and Understanding of Medicine
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-----Original Message-----
From: psci-com: on the public understanding of science [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Helen Malherbe
Sent: 30 March 2005 07:28
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [PSCI-COM] Interaction between new knowledge and existing beliefs
Dear all,
I am interested in investigating the interaction between/role of new knowledge & information communicated on science (specifically biotechnology) and pre-existing beliefs and values. I have only found relevant research focusing on the role of worldviews (Slovic & Peters) in the forming of attitudes and opinions.
I'd be grateful for any pointers, contacts, research etc on this topic as well as opinions as to if it is a credible area for research.
Regards,
Helen Malherbe
Programme Coordinator
Public Understanding of Biotechnology
South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA)
Tel: +27 (0) 12 392 9315
Fax: +27 (0) 12 320 7803
Email: [log in to unmask]
www.pub.ac.za
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