Skepticism in Science: Why Don’t We Trust Science Anymore?

Ever since the onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the United States has been experiencing a distrust in expertise. A survey conducted by the Survey Center on America Life indicates an increasing skepticism towards scientific and medical experts regarding climate change, public health reports and even artificial intelligence. These studies indicate no specific demographics but significantly higher among Republicans and evangelical Christians.

In recent years, there has been an uptick in rising suspicion about the status of expertise in American politics. These suspicions have been raised by the likes of Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy,  but the examples are abundant from both conservative and liberal sides. Many describe it as an “attack on science” or the “death of expertise,” attributing it to the ignorance and susceptibility to conspiracy theories of some Americans. However, some argue that this crisis is not widespread but localized to specific demographics influenced by political polarization, anti-government sentiment, and digital disinformation.

The survey statistics show some critical insight into this debate. It reveals that Americans are becoming increasingly distrustful of science, particularly since the pandemic. The survey indicates, only 69% of Americans have confidence in scientists acting in the public interest, down from 86% in 2019.

In the world of politics, this division is even more pronounced, with Republicans’ trust in scientists decreasing from 82% to 56% between 2019 and 2023. Democrats also saw a drop, from 91% to 82%. This decline in trust increasingly aligns with political affiliations. Outside politics, low trust levels persist among various groups, including religious Americans, those with less education, and minority communities.

For example, only 52% of religious Republicans trust the scientist’s remarks and studies. On the flipside, more secular Americans the confidence rate is as high as 79%. In terms of education, those holding a bachelor’s degree or higher expressing more trust in scientists. Race and ethnicity also impact trust levels, with Hispanic and Black Americans displaying decreased confidence in scientists.

While Democrats generally show higher trust than Republicans, the survey also indicates that well-educated white Democrats stand out with highest confidence in scientific experts. Public trust in various fields of expertise also varies; some topics show significant partisan differences, while others do not. For example, Democrats and Republicans differ on issues like climate change and vaccine safety, but their views align on topics like human evolution and concerns about artificial intelligence.

The decay of public trust in expertise is not just due to political polarization but also reflects a broader decline in social trust. This trust deficit extends to vital institutions, impacting public health interventions like vaccination. The decline in trust poses challenges for policy, politics, and societal well-being.

To tackle the crisis of expertise, it is important to understand its root cause, which extends beyond education and digital literacy efforts. It will take a long time to rebuild trust in public opinion. Rebuilding trust in scientific and medical institutions is essential to ensuring that evidence and facts remain the foundation of our politics.

America’s Crisis of Confidence: Rising Mistrust, Conspiracies, and Vaccine Hesitancy after COVID-19.” The Survey Center on American Life, www.americansurveycenter.org/research/americas-crisis-of-confidence-rising-mistrust-conspiracies-and-vaccine-hesitancy-after-covid-19. Accessed 5 Nov. 2023.