Public Preferences for Science Occupations in the U.S.: The Influence of Public Perception of Scientists and Science

This study is to address what factors influence Americans´ preferences for science occupations with the analysis of the NSF-sponsored Survey of Public Attitudes Toward and Understanding of Science and Technology conducted in 2001. People´s positive perception of scientists and science tend to strengthen the preference. Women are more likely than men to be sensitive to the danger of scientific work. People who choose biology as their major are more likely to value science occupations than those with other majors. However, female biology majors are less likely to value the occupations than their male counterparts. With this negative influence of being a female biology major, the negative influence of being a scientist or engineer with the advanced degrees on the preference remains to be confirmed in future research.