Scientifc and everyday ideas in the world view of modern students of early adolescence

Abstract

Background. Te modern information space containing both reliable and quasi-scientifc information has a signifcant impact on the formation of students’ scientifc worldview. Objective. To obtain an empirical support for the theoretical model of the formation of scientifc worldview in the middle-adolescent students which was formulated in the framework of the cultural-historical conception. Methods. A special questionnaire was developed containing 16 pairs of statements. Each pair presented both scientifc and an everyday interpretation of a natural science phenomenon. Te respondents had to choose the answer considered to be correct. When processing the data, the number of answers corresponding to the modern scientifc concepts was taken into account. Sample. Te study involved 200 high school students and 196 junior college students aged 16–18 years, a total of 396 people (232 girls and 164 boys). Results. Te study has revealed that the worldview of middle-adolescent students is predominantly characterized by an average level of scientifc concepts and presents an individual combination of scientifc and everyday knowledge. It has been found out that boys demonstrate a signifcantly higher level of scientifc views than girls. College students’ outlook tends to be more scientifc than that of high school students, but the diferences linked to the type of educational institution do not reach statistica signifcance. Conclusion. Te theoretical model of scientifc worldview formation in the middle adolescence proposed by L.I. Bozhovich in the framework of cultural-historical approach is not confrmed. It is assumed that the key factor in the formation of an individual’s scientifc worldview is not the scope of one’s knowledge but its personal meaning. Te data obtained expand understanding of formation of the students’ worldview and provide new insights into the content and structure of modern individual’s outlook.