Adapting ways of knowing dependent on context

Abstract

This study is a further investigation of epistemological beliefs, specifically ways of knowing, and whether people will adapt these beliefs dependent upon social context (i.e. in-group or out-group). In addition, this research examined the role of gender and one’s use of connected knowing (CK) or separate knowing (SK). One hundred twenty-three college students were surveyed to determine if use of CK or SK shifted when thinking of in-group or out-group associations. Results did not confirm a shift in the use of CK or SK dependent upon social context. The results confirmed that men had higher SK scores than women; however, no gender differences were confirmed in CK scores.