Title
Development of a Survey Assessing Attitudes Toward Genetic Research
Department
Psychological Science
Major
Psychology
Research Advisor
Bichsel, Jacqueline Michelle
Advisor's Department
Psychological Science
Abstract
This study involved the development of a comprehensive questionnaire assessing attitudes toward genetic research. Face validity was obtained by having faculty members with expertise in genetic research rate and edit the questions. The questionnaire was administered to 289 participants (145 males, 144 females). The Attitudes Toward Genetic Research Questionnaire revealed seven primary factors: (a) support of genetic testing for oneself or one’s child, (b) support of genetic testing for others, (c) perceived benefits of genetic research, (d) self-assessed knowledge of genetic research, (e) belief that genes outweigh the environment in determining behavior, (f) belief that genetic research is unethical, and (g) support of federal funding for genetic research. These factors mainly supported the pre-conceived areas of assessment in such attitudes, demonstrating construct validity. One interesting finding was that older individuals were less likely to believe that genetic research was unethical, but were less likely to support funding for genetic research.
Biography
Ashley Nelson is presently a senior at Missouri University of Science and Technology. Ashley is graduating with a B.S. in Psychology in May 2010. She is currently a research assistant and will be presenting her research at the American Psychological Association Convention in August. Her future plans include attending graduate school and obtaining a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.
Research Category
Sciences
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Award
Social Sciences poster session, Second place
Location
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Presentation Date
07 Apr 2010, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Development of a Survey Assessing Attitudes Toward Genetic Research
Upper Atrium/Hallway
This study involved the development of a comprehensive questionnaire assessing attitudes toward genetic research. Face validity was obtained by having faculty members with expertise in genetic research rate and edit the questions. The questionnaire was administered to 289 participants (145 males, 144 females). The Attitudes Toward Genetic Research Questionnaire revealed seven primary factors: (a) support of genetic testing for oneself or one’s child, (b) support of genetic testing for others, (c) perceived benefits of genetic research, (d) self-assessed knowledge of genetic research, (e) belief that genes outweigh the environment in determining behavior, (f) belief that genetic research is unethical, and (g) support of federal funding for genetic research. These factors mainly supported the pre-conceived areas of assessment in such attitudes, demonstrating construct validity. One interesting finding was that older individuals were less likely to believe that genetic research was unethical, but were less likely to support funding for genetic research.
Comments
Joint project with Travis Gibson