34th Annual Student Research Conference
Evolution and Race: How Our Background Affects Our Abilities to Learn
Tabitha F. Wilkerson
Dr. Brian Ott and Dr. Amber Johnson, Faculty Mentors
Students enrolled in a university’s biology or anthropology programs learn about evolution. Prior studies have investigated the impact of religion and other cultural aspects on students’ abilities to learn evolution. This research investigated what impacts our ability to learn modern scientific ideas of evolution and race. This sample included four upper-level anthropological and biological majors.The interviews conducted with these students addressed the following research questions: Does your background affect your ability to learn about modern, scientific ideas on race and evolution? Does knowledge in biological or hominin evolution change your views on race? Is knowledge of evolution and race impacted by your background more than what you were taught in class? This study shows that taking a class is enough, but this is most likely not generalizable. Further research should include more interviews to see if simply taking a course is enough, and what else is a variable.
Keywords:
Topic(s):Anthropology
Biology
Presentation Type: Asynchronous Virtual Oral Presentation
Session: 2-4
Location: https://flipgrid.com/8ce38d74
Time: 0:00