Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education (한국과학교육학회지)

The Korean Association for Science Education (한국과학교육학회)
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Motivated Reasoning as Obstacle of Scientific Thinking: Focus on the Cases of Next-Generation Researchers in the Field of Science and Technology

과학적 사고의 걸림돌 동기기반추론 -과학기술 분야 학문후속세대들의 사례를 중심으로-

  • Received : 2018.07.19
  • Accepted : 2018.08.22
  • Published : 2018.10.31
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Abstract

Motivated reasoning refers to biased reasoning that is affected by motivation to achieve a particular result or goal. In this study, we attempted a theoretical study on motivated reasoning that hinders the development of scientific thinking and empirical study on actual context of motivated reasoning in the research experiences of next-generation Korean researchers in the field of science and technology. To be specific, literature reviews were conducted to explore the psychological meaning of motivated reasoning and its negative impact on scientific thinking and science research. To understand the substantial meaning and context of motivated reasoning in the field of real science and technology research, we conducted in-depth interviews with eight graduate students and one young science and technology researcher. As a result of the literature reviews, we found out that motivated reasoning can interfere with the proper theory and data coordination, which is the core process of scientific thinking at the individual level. At the socio-cultural level, it can lead to cessation of constructing scientific knowledge and it can act as a mechanism in the process of using science for specific socio-cultural beliefs or purposes, thereby hindering the development of science and technology based on rationale and objective scientific thinking. Quantitative analysis with in-depth interview data showed that graduate students and the young researcher's experienced motivated reasoning results in trying to protect prior beliefs, make hasty conclusions, protecting socio-cultural belief or rationalizing decisions made by their community. Their motivated reasoning could become an obstacle in constructing valid science and technology knowledge through appropriate theory and evidence coordination. Based on these findings we discussed science education for improving scientific thinking.

동기기반추론은 원하는 특정한 결과나 목표를 성취하고자 하는 동기에 영향을 받아 이루어지는 편향된 추론을 의미한다. 이 연구에서는 과학적 사고 발달을 저해하는 동기기반추론 대한 이론적 연구를 시도하고, 실제 국내 과학기술 분야의 학문후속세대들이 경험한 동기 기반추론의 실제적 맥락에 대하여 탐색하였다. 구체적으로 이를 위해 문헌연구에서는 동기기반추론의 심리학적 특성과 과학적 사고에 미치는 부정적 영향에 대해 살펴보았다. 또한 국내 과학기술 분야 대학원생 8인과 신진 연구원 1인과의 심층 면담을 토대로 실제 과학기술 분야에서 나타나는 동기기반추론의 의미와 맥락을 파악하고자 했다. 문헌 분석 결과 동기기반추론은 개인적 수준에서 과학적 사고의 핵심인 이론과 자료의 적절한 조정 과정을 방해하며 과학적 지식 구성의 고착을 가져올 수 있으며, 사회문화적 수준에서 특정 사회문화적 신념이나 목적에 의해 과학이 이용되는 기작으로서 작용할 수 있다는 점에서 합리적이고 객관적인 과학적 사고를 기반으로 한 과학기술의 발전을 저해할 수 있음을 살펴보았다. 또한 실제 국내의 과학기술 분야의 학문후속세대들이 경험했던 동기기반추론 사례를 살펴본 결과, 기존의 신념 보호, 성급한 결론 추구, 사회문화적 신념 보호, 집단의 의사결정을 합리화를 통해 동기기반추론이 나타나고 있음을 확인할 수 있었다. 이러한 과학기술 학문후속세대들의 동기기반추론은 이들이 보다 이론과 증거의 적절한 조정을 통해 타당한 과학기술 지식을 구성하는데 있어 걸림돌이 될 수 있음을 살펴보았다. 이러한 결과를 바탕으로 이 연구에서는 과학적 사고 교육에 대해 논의하였다.

Keywords

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