Improving Trust in Science Through Communication? The Role of Mediating and Moderating Factors

Wintterlin, F.

Abstract

Several attempts have been made to increase people's trust in science through being exposed to scientific information. Yet, I argue that not only mere exposure but peoples' predispositions and how people perceive the credibility of the information matters for whether they develop trust in that information. Using a moderated mediation model based on a weighted quota sample in Germany (N = 1,007), I showed that the degree to which being exposed to scientific information influences trust in science is mediated by people's credibility perceptions and moderated by their predispositions toward science. Implications for research and practice are discussed.