How do schoolchildren’s perceptions of scientists affect the way they learn about the subject?
2007-01-30 10:16:57 · 3 answers · asked by autos 1 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
How many students actually know someone who is a scientist (or who is labeled as such)? They may know lots of people who work in other professions and can relate to them as individuals. I think that this would probably make a "scientist" seem more unreal and not relevant to the students' lives.
Students may also have a perception of scientists as being "geniuses" and therefore put the subject matter out of their own intellectual reach. (For example, people talk about a simple subject by saying that "it's not rocket science.")
I haven't seen any research on this issue-these are just possible scenarios.
2007-01-30 10:46:36 · answer #1 · answered by ambr123 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it depends on the child.
My 9 year old son LOVES science and the whole idea of being a scientist when he grows up.
He was recently invited to tour a bio-medical company and he got to meet scientists and doctors. It was a wonderful and hopefully inspiring experience for him. Prior to the tour he wrote down questions he wanted to ask the scientists and doctors. If that would have been me when I was 9, I would have been very intimidated by any type of authority. If a child sees the scientist as being approachable and he/she makes the subject fun and exciting - I'm sure the child will be more than receptive and excited to learn what will be taught.
2007-01-30 18:51:01 · answer #2 · answered by Fired Up 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not a psychologist or anything but i think that a reason that some kids shy away from science is because they dont want to be considered "not cool" or a nerd by the other kids.
2007-01-30 18:32:27 · answer #3 · answered by Emily 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋