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Attitudes and perceptions towards the scientific search for extraterrestrial life among students of public and private universities in Peru

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 June 2020

Octavio A. Chon-Torres*
Affiliation:
Programa de Estudios Generales de la Universidad de Lima, Lima, Peru
Julio César Ramos Ramírez
Affiliation:
Programa de Estudios Generales de la Universidad de Lima, Lima, Peru
Fernando Hoyos Rengifo
Affiliation:
Programa de Estudios Generales de la Universidad de Lima, Lima, Peru
Rosana Aurora Choy Vessoni
Affiliation:
Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Lima, Lima, Peru
Ivan Sergo Laura
Affiliation:
Asociación Peruana de Astrobiología (ASPAST), Lima, Peru
Félix Germán Alfonso Ríos-Ruiz
Affiliation:
Asociación Peruana de Astrobiología (ASPAST), Lima, Peru
César Andreé Murga-Moreno
Affiliation:
Asociación Peruana de Astrobiología (ASPAST), Lima, Peru
José Percy Leonel Alvarado Pino
Affiliation:
Asociación Peruana de Astrobiología (ASPAST), Lima, Peru
Ximena Yance-Morales
Affiliation:
Programa de Estudios Generales de la Universidad de Lima, Lima, Peru
*
Author for correspondence: Octavio A. Chon-Torres, E-mail: ochon@ulima.edu.pe
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Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify attitudes towards the scientific search for extraterrestrial life among students from public and private universities in Peru. This research was inspired by similar studies, realized in Sweden, which used the same instrument adapting it to our reality. The process consisted of a survey of the Peruvian student population by targeting it in different regions of Peru. The sample consisted of 1237 students from different academic areas. The findings show that 92% of the students believe in the existence of life outside our planet, with differences between the subgroups surveyed.

Information

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press
Figure 0

Table 1. Do you believe that there is life outside this planet?

Figure 1

Table 2. How informed are you about scientific research concerning the search for extraterrestrial life?

Figure 2

Table 3. Correlation between the belief of life outside the planet and the degree of information regarding its scientific search?

Figure 3

Table 4. How long will it take to find life outside our planet?

Figure 4

Table 5. How important is the search for extraterrestrial life?

Figure 5

Table 6. What is the reason for your answer to the question above?

Figure 6

Table 7. Belief in extraterrestrial life versus belief in finding extraterrestrial life