Neuroscience 2000 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 21.37 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | Do you know your brain? A survey on the public's neuroscientific culture. |
| Authors: |
Herculano-Houzel, S.*1
1Museu da Vida, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, RJ, Brazil |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
K. Other - 150. Teaching of neuroscience |
| Session: |
21. Teaching of neuroscience Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Sunday, November 5, 2000 8:00 AM-9:00 AM |
| Location: | Hall G-J |
| Keywords: |
How informed is the public about the developments offered by brain research? A survey was conducted using a 95-assertion multiple-choice questionnaire, responded by marking yes, no, or I don't know. The opinions of 35 senior neuroscientists and 2158 members of the public of Rio de Janeiro were heard on 12 subjective issues such as the mind-brain relationship, and 83 objective issues such as learning. For the latter, the response chosen by 70% or more of neuroscientists was considered to be correct and used to assign a score to each respondent. While neuroscientists obtained an average of 87.1±6.7% correct answers, the public scored only 48.4±13.9%. Scores improved the most with schooling, followed by popular science magazine reading, and newspaper reading. Well- and poorly-known themes were identified. Further, profiles of how neuroscientists and the public view the brain could be drawn. Like neuroscientists, the public considers that the brain is organized in functionally different areas which communicate using chemical and electrical signals. Unlike neuroscientists, however, the public does not acknowledge that learning corresponds to changes in the brain; most are unaware of the methods available to brain research; and although they believe that the mind is a product of the brain, as neuroscientists do, the public also accepts the intervention of an immaterial soul. This study demonstrates that scientific communication does have a significant impact on the public, and indicates issues on which more efforts should be concentrated in order to diminish the wide gap between neuroscientists and the public, thus helping people be aware of the benefits they can enjoy from brain research.
Supported by Faperj-Fiocruz and CNPq
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2000 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. New Orleans, LA: Society for Neuroscience, 2000. Online.
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