An exploration of attitudes towards modern biotechnology: a study among Dutch secondary school students

Journal article | Zeitschriftenartikel

Modern biotechnology will have a large impact on society and requires informed decision-making and critical attitudes toward biotechnology among the public. This study aims to explore these attitudes in secondary education. For this purpose, a questionnaire was constructed according to the general tripartite theory of attitudes. 574 Dutch secondary school students completed the questionnaire. Based on principal component analyses, several distinct and independent cognitive, affective, and behavioural factors were found, demonstrating that attitudes towards biotechnology are a multi-component concept. In a cluster analysis on these factors, we found four interpretable clusters representing different groups of students. The four groups are labelled as 'confident supporter' (22%), 'not sure' (42%), 'concerned sceptic' (18%) and 'not for me' (17%). These results indicate that there is a diverse appraisal of modern biotechnology amongst secondary school students. Suggestions for educational interventions are made.

Object Details

• Extent: Seite(n): 663-679
• Language: Englisch
• Notes: Status: Postprint; begutachtet (peer reviewed)

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: International Journal of Science Education, 29(5)

Classification and Topics

• Subject: Technik, Technologie ; Bildung und Erziehung ; Technikfolgenabschätzung ; Unterricht, Didaktik

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Klop, Tanja ; Severiens, Sabine E.
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (where): Vereinigtes Königreich
• (when): 2007

Further information

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09500690600951556
• URN: urn:nbn:de:0168-ssoar-132179
• Rights: GESIS - Leibniz-Institut für Sozialwissenschaften. Bibliothek Köln
• Last update: 21.06.2024, 4:27 PM CEST