Trust in Science During COVID-19: Increased Overall but More Polarized, with Trust Key to Vaccine Acceptance

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A study by the Milner Centre for Evolution at the University of Bath, along with colleagues at Universities of Oxford and Aberdeen, found that trust in scientists has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. However, attitudes have become more polarized, meaning people either trust or do not trust scientists.

The study also found that people who trust science are more likely to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

The research team asked people whether their trust in scientists had changed and found that a third of people reported an increase in trust.

The study also found that people who held negative views of science before the pandemic had become even more negative, while those who held positive views had become even more positive. The study shows that trust, rather than knowledge, is what matters when it comes to attitudes towards science.

The study also suggests that activities to increase trust can affect behavior, but these strategies can also backfire and cause some to be even more entrenched.

Key Takeaways in a Nutshell – Health Newstrack

– Trust in scientists has increased overall since the COVID-19 pandemic.

– Attitudes towards science have become more polarized, with people either trusting or not trusting scientists.

– People who trust science are more likely to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

– A third of people reported an increase in trust in scientists.

– Trust, rather than knowledge, is what matters when it comes to attitudes towards science.


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