Racio-Ethnic Differences in Confidence in Science

17 nationwide surveys taken from 1972 through 1990 showed that Hispanic and African-American minority groups, traditionally underrepresented in science, were less confident about science than Asian and white groups. Confidence in science was positively influenced by education, but this effect was greater for white than for Hispanic or African-American groups. The possible interrelationships between economic factors, role models, and self-esteem in influencing attitudes about science are discussed.