Science, television, and adolescents: A comparative study of France and Brazil

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative study was to compare how adolescents from Rio de Janeiro and Paris perceive science and scientists. These two cultures were chosen because the social role of television and the consumption of science information through the media share similarities in Brazil and France, while the institutionalization of science has differed from one country to the other. Young people from different social classes were formed into eight focus groups (four per city) and shown excerpts of science content from various genres of television programs as a way of sparking discussion. Results revealed that these young people constructed meaning about science in similar ways. They expressed thoughtful, articulate viewpoints on the issue of ethics in scientific activity, the presence of science on television, and the participation of men and women in scientific academia. Students from the two private schools in Rio de Janeiro and from all four Paris schools displayed greater similarities overall. Between-country differences were sharper when it came to the portrayal of scientists. The Brazilians believed that the traditional stereotype of the "mad scientist" is anchored in reality and that the characteristics of some real-life scientists resemble this image, while the French students perceived this stereotype as a caricature meant to entertain, but having little to do with actual reality.