Introduction
| See also the Generalized Acceptance of EvolutioN Evaluation (GAENE). |
People may differ in the degree to which they accept certain facts. This can be seen as part of cognitive dissonance or, in other words, a clash between incompatible ideas.
A good example of this is the theory of evolution, which is a well-established scientific theory. The theory of evolution is, of course, fundamental to understanding how life on earth developed and develops. It contrasts with literal interpretations of various religious texts.
The Measure of Acceptance of the Theory of Evolution (MATE) measures the degree to which people accept the theory of evolution. Note that the MATE has possible scores from 20 to 100.
| MATE score | Interpretation |
|---|---|
89-100 |
Very high acceptance |
77-88 |
High acceptance |
65-76 |
Moderate acceptance |
53-64 |
Low acceptance |
20-52 |
Very low acceptance |
Where people are in this will depend very much on where you carry out the study. In the cited studies of 1999 and 2007 no population averages are given.
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Legal stuff
It seems that the MATE be used for research, but you need to acknowledge the authors and their research papers when writing about it (Rutlege & Warden, 1999; Rutledge & Kim, 2007).
Technically
This is a simple scale question with some reverse coded items.
The survey code for PsyToolkit
scale: agree
- {score=5} Strongly agree
- {score=4} Agree
- {score=3} Undecided
- {score=2} Disagree
- {score=1} Strongly disagree
l: mate
t: scale agree
o: width 50%
q: For the following items, please indicate your agreement/disagreement with the given statements:
- Organisms existing today are the result of evolutionary processes that have occurred over millions of years
- {reverse} The theory of evolution is incapable of being scientifically tested
- Modern humans are the product of evolutionary processes that have occurred over millions of years
- {reverse} The theory of evolution is based on speculation and not valid scientific observation and testing
- Most scientists accept evolutionary theory to be a scientifically valid theory
- {reverse} The available data are ambiguous (unclear) as to whether evolution actually occurs
- {reverse} The age of the earth is less than 20,000 years
- There is a significant body of data that supports evolutionary theory
- {reverse} Organisms exist today in essentially the same form in which they always have
- {reverse} Evolution in not a scientifically valid theory
- The age of the earth is at least 4 billion years
- Current evolutionary theory is the result of sound scientific research and methodology
- Evolutionary theory generates testable predictions with respect to the characteristics of life
- {reverse} The theory of evolution cannot be correct since it disagrees with the Biblical account of creation
- {reverse} Humans exist today in essentially the same form in which they always have
- Evolutionary theory is supported by factual historical and laboratory data
- {reverse} Much of the scientific community doubts if evolution occurs
- The theory of evolution brings meaning to the diverse characteristics and behaviors observed in living forms
- {reverse} With few exceptions, organisms on earth came into existence at about the same time
- Evolution is a scientifically valid theory
l: mate_score
t: set
- sum $mate
l: feedback
t: info
q: Your score on the Measure of Acceptance of the Theory of Evolution
(MATE) is {$mate_score} points. Scores are between 20 (low) to 100
(high level of acceptance).
References
-
Rutledge, M .L . & Warden, M .A . (1999). The development and validation of the Measure of Acceptance of the Theory of Evolution Instrument. School Science and Mathematics, 99(1), 13-18.
-
Rutledge, M.L. & Sadler, K.C. (2007). Reliability of the Measure of Acceptance of the Theory of Evolution (MATE) Instrument with University Students. The American Biology Teacher, 69(6), 332-335. Read for free here.