Reassessing the Variables Used to Measure Public Perceptions of Scientists

John C. Besley · Geah Pressgrove

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Science Education and Perceptions Risk Perception and Management Climate Change Communication and Perception

Abstract

Both academics and science communication practitioners have long been interested in the public’s perceptions of scientists, impacts of those perceptions, and how communication tactics can affect them. Despite this interest, perceptual variables (e.g., trustworthiness, credibility, and fairness) are inconsistently conceptualized and operationalized within the literature. Through an examination of existing scales and a national survey ( N = 605), this study suggests that communication researchers and practitioners should consider focusing on four distinct dimensions of trust. We label these competence, integrity, benevolence, and openness.

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References

1994The Commitment-Trust Theory of Relationship Marketing 1995An Integrative Model Of Organizational Trust 2011The Politicization of Climate Change and Polarization in the American Public's Views of Global Warming, 2001–2010 2012The Polarizing Impact of Science Literacy and Numeracy on Perceived Climate Change Risks 1992Misunderstood misunderstanding: social identities and public uptake of science 1999Goodwill: A reexamination of the construct and its measurement 2007What can we learn from 25 years of PUS survey research? Liberating and expanding the agenda 1991Credibility and trust in risk communication

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