This compact open access reference delves beyond popular concepts of educated consumers and an informed public by examining the science behind deliberative engagement. Using data from four longitudinal studies, the authors assess public engagement methods in deliberative discussions of ethical, legal, and social issues concerning innovations in nanotechnology. Coverage includes the theoretical origins of the studies, forms of engagement and variations used, and in-depth details on cognitive, affective, and social components that go into the critical thinking process and forming of opinions. Not only are the findings intriguing in and of themselves, but researchers from varied fields will also find them useful in pursuing their own projects.
Featured in the coverage:
- Experimental methods and measures used in relation to specific outcomes.
- Forms of deliberative engagement affecting objective and subjective knowledge.
- Effects of engagement variables on attitude formation, change, and polarization.
- Tracing the processes leading to policy acceptance and support.
- Study conclusions and evaluation.
- Plus supplemental materials giving readers access to full study data.
Since public engagement methods are widely regarded as valuable for policy input, planning purposes, and understanding societal processes, Deliberative Engagement with Science stands to have a wide audience among psychologists, researchers, academics, and policymakers, as well as professionals in the corporate sphere and the tech industries.
Dr. Lisa M. PytlikZillig is a Research Associate Professor at the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center, Assistant Director of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Social and Behavioral Sciences Research Consortium, and has a courtesy appointment in the Department of Psychology at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Dr. PytlikZillig received her PhD in Personality and Social Psychology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Dr. Myiah J. Hutchens is an Assistant Professor at the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington. Dr. Hutchens received her PhD from The Ohio State University in Communication.
Dr. Peter Muhlberger is a Research Fellow at the Public Policy Center at the University of Nebraska. He previously served as a Program Director in Cyber Social Science and Political Science at the National Science Foundation. Dr. Muhlberger received his PhD in Political Science from the University of Michigan.
Dr. Frank J. Gonzalez is an Assistant Professor in the School of Government and Public Policy at the University of Arizona. He received his PhD in Political Science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Dr. Alan J. Tomkins worked on this research in his roles as the Director of the Public Policy Center at the University of Nebraska and Professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Law/Psychology Program. He has since retired from the university and is emeritus director and professor, and he has joined the National Science Foundation’s Directorate for Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (NSF/SBE). He received his PhD in Social Psychology and a JD from Washington University.
