Public Attitudes toward Science: I. Attitudes of Secondary School Female Students

College student stereotypes of the personality traits of research scientists.

“…Traits. An original list of approximately 100 personality trait names was compiled from several published sources (1,8,9). Subsequently a list of 60 traits was selected on the basis of two criteria: (a) 30 traits that appeared on an a priori basis to be socially desirable and 30 traits judged to be socially undesirable, and (6) traits were selected that appeared representative of many significant dimensions of behavior including work habits, intellectual characteristics, and both the social and nonsocial aspects of personality.…”

“…The development of these attitudes begins early in the elementary school (2). These attitudes are solidified by the time students reach the secondary school level (6,8) where they influence the choice of a future career (7). The attitude of the public toward the current Man-Into-Space program is at least partially influenced by a general attitude of both respect for and a fear of the influence of scientific advances upon our society.…”