Only 29% of Americans have 'great deal' of trust in scientists

They have less trust in scientists now than in the pre-pandemic period, finds Pew poll

Americans' confidence in scientists and medical scientists was on the decline, with data from Pew Research Centre published on February 15 indicating that only 29 per cent have a "great deal" of trust in medical scientists.

Researchers interviewed 14,497 Americans between November 30 and December 21, 2021, on their trust in various groups to act in their best interests, including scientists, medical scientists, the military and K-12 principals.

As per the survey, 29 per cent of US adults have great confidence in medical scientists to act in the public's interest, down from 40 per cent in November 2020.

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"In 2020, 39 per cent of the respondents said they trusted scientists, and in 2021 that number had dropped to 29 per cent."

However, it added, 78 per cent and 77 per cent of Americans have a fair amount of confidence in medical scientists and scientists, respectively, making them the two most trusted categories of people included in the survey.

According to the survey, Republicans have the least confidence in medical scientists – 66 per cent – which is down from 88 per cent pre-pandemic, 85 per cent in April 2020 and 81 per cent in November 2020.

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It said that Democrats have more trust in medical scientists than they did pre-pandemic, with 90 per cent now versus 87 per cent in January 2019.

Americans’ confidence in other groups has also dropped since 2019 and 2020, including elected officials, journalists and police officers. The drop in confidence in school principals has been particularly notable as schools have had to navigate the pandemic, with trust dropping from 77 per cent in 2019 and 83 per cent in April 2020 to 64 per cent now.

Americans’ confidence in other groups has also dropped since 2019 and 2020, including elected officials, journalists and police officers. The drop in confidence in school principals has been particularly notable as schools have had to navigate the pandemic, with trust dropping from 77 per cent in 2019 and 83 per cent in April 2020 to 64 per cent now.