Distinguishing scientific knowledge: The impact of different measures of knowledge on genetically modified food attitudes

The impact of knowledge on public attitudes toward scientific issues remains unclear, due in part to ill-defined differences in how research designs conceptualize knowledge. Using genetically modified foods as a framework, we explore the impacts of perceived familiarity and factual knowledge, and th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Public understanding of science (Bristol, England) England), 2019-05, Vol.28 (4), p.449-467
Main Authors: Rose, Kathleen M., Howell, Emily L., Su, Leona Y.-F., Xenos, Michael A., Brossard, Dominique, Scheufele, Dietram A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Attitudes
Consciousness
Familiarity
Food
Genetic modification
Genetically altered foods
Genetically engineered microorganisms
Genetically modified organisms
Knowledge
Mass media
Public opinion
Scientific knowledge
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Summary:The impact of knowledge on public attitudes toward scientific issues remains unclear, due in part to ill-defined differences in how research designs conceptualize knowledge. Using genetically modified foods as a framework, we explore the impacts of perceived familiarity and factual knowledge, and the moderating roles of media attention and a food-specific attitudinal variable (food consciousness), in shaping these relationships. Based on the differential effects on “negative attitudes” toward genetically modified foods, we provide further evidence that the measures of knowledge are separate concepts and argue against a one-dimensional view of scientific knowledge. We discuss implications for understanding the relationship between knowledge and science attitudes.
ISSN:0963-6625
1361-6609
DOI:10.1177/0963662518824837