Analysis of Religious Bias among Christian Students in Science

Christians are notably underrepresented in science in part due to long-standing public perceptions of science-religion incompatibility and antireligious bias in science. This research explores whether undergraduates at a Christian university perceive and impose anti-Christian cultural stigma in scie...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Soneral, Paula A. G. (Author) ; Brownell, Sara E. (Author) ; Barnes, M. Elizabeth (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Wiley-Blackwell 2023
In: Journal for the scientific study of religion
Year: 2023, Volume: 62, Issue: 1, Pages: 184-202
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B USA / Studies in biology / Church college / Christian / Test bias / Discrimination
IxTheo Classification:AD Sociology of religion; religious policy
CC Christianity and Non-Christian religion; Inter-religious relations
CF Christianity and Science
KBQ North America
Further subjects:B stereotype threat
B Science
B Biology
B Christianity
B Religiosity
B Test bias
B undergraduate
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Summary:Christians are notably underrepresented in science in part due to long-standing public perceptions of science-religion incompatibility and antireligious bias in science. This research explores whether undergraduates at a Christian university perceive and impose anti-Christian cultural stigma in science. Survey results from 126 biology students revealed that though students generally perceived the culture of science to be anti-Christian, they perceived Christians to have equal opportunities for scientific achievement. Results from a quasi-experimental audit study, in which students evaluated one of two profiles for mock prospective Ph.D. applicants (Christian or undisclosed faith) showed that students did not project anti-Christian stereotypes in terms of competence, hireability, or likeability, but showed some evidence of pro-Christian favorability. Together, this study suggests that the affirmational community of a Christian University may alleviate some negative impacts of anti-Christian stereotypes in academic biology, even as students perceive discrimination against Christians in science and atheists as more scientifically competent.
ISSN:1468-5906
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal for the scientific study of religion
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1111/jssr.12825