The Positive Association of Education with the Trust in Science and Scientists is Weaker in Highly Corrupt Countries

Abstract

One of the most prominent correlates of trust in science and scientists is the education level, possibly because educated individuals have higher levels of science knowledge and thinking ability, suggesting that trusting science and scientists rely more on reflective thinking abilities. However, it is relatively more reasonable for highly educated individuals to suspect authority figures in highly corrupt countries. We tested this prediction in two nationally representative and probabilistic cross-cultural datasets (Study 1: 139 countries, N = 40,085; Study 2: 47 countries, N = 69,332), and found that the positive association between education and trust in scientists (Study 1) and science (Study 2) was weaker or non-existent in highly corrupt countries. The results did not change after statistically controlling for age, sex, household income, and residence. We suggest future research to be more considerate of the societal context in understanding how education status correlates with trust in science and scientists.

How do beliefs in free will and determinism correlate with beliefs in conspiracy, paranormal, and pseudoscience beliefs?

“…Cultural differences in the relationship between conspiracy, paranormal beliefs, and free will can be linked to Türkiye's specific situation. In cultures with higher levels of corruption, such as Türkiye, conspiracy theories are more common due to their higher likelihood of occurrence (Alper, 2023), rendering educational attainment a less effective predictor of such beliefs (Alper, Yelbuz, Akkurt, & Yilmaz, 2024). Hence, in these settings, critical thinkers might not reject conspiracy theories as quickly as those in cultures with lower corruption levels.…”

“…This difference can be attributed to supernatural beliefs incorporating additional motivational elements, such as the concept of an afterlife, which are absent in secular ideologies. The nonmaterial essence of fatalistic determinism might nullify the need for material evidence for beliefs, thereby paving the way for ESBs, which lack concrete, falsifiable evidence (Alper & Yilmaz, 2024;Douglas et al, 2017). Consistently, past research has shown that religious and spiritual beliefs (e.g., Alper et al, 2021;Rutjens et al, 2020;Yilmaz et al, 2018) are major drivers of ESBs.…”

The Ecosystem of Science Communication in the Post-Truth Era: Perspectives, Contexts, Dynamics

“…Drawing on a sample of more than one-hundred thousand participants from various countries, the researchers found that the positive association between education and trust in science depends on social context. In particular, an association between education and trust in science and scientists was practically non-existent in highly corrupt countries (Alper et al, 2023). While other cognitive factors have not been extensively researched, a recent study by our research group tested the incremental value of cognitive reflectiveness (i.e.…”