Data on attitude change across similar demographic cohorts in the Middle East is rare, particularly on issues related to science and education. This study examines changing attitudes towards evolution among young adults in the UAE over a 15-year time period using cross-sectional survey data. Each year hundreds of undergraduate participants in psychology courses reported their general agreement with evolution theory on a Likert scale question, with responses ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree, coded with five values from -2 to +2 (with zero as the neutral point). Participants also indicated their general level of religiosity and spirituality. Results show a modest but significant increase in acceptance of evolution over time, from an average -0.35 in the first four years (2011-2014) to an average of -0.04 in the last four years (2021-2024). Though self-reported religiosity showed no change over time, the results indicate a divergence in evolutionary acceptance that correlates with overall religiosity starting only around the onset of covid-19.

Authors:
Mark Aveyard, American University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Mark Aveyard is a University Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer at American University of Sharjah in United Arab Emirates

See this presentation on the full schedule – Tuesday Schedule

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