Background: Genetic knowledge, which plays important functions in our understanding of science, health, social groupings, and even behaviour, has been evaluated in past studies with various populations. This wide reach of genetics means that different types of items are used to assess genetic knowledge, which restricts meaningful comparisons across time- and locale-based studies. Aim: The present study addresses this limitation by recruiting an Australia-wide sample and evaluating their genetic knowledge using items sourced from four diverse samples. Method: Seven hundred and eighty Australians completed a variety of items assessing their genetic knowledge as well as several demographic indicators. Results: The results show superior overall genetic knowledge in the current sample compared with previous samples. Additionally, the study finds that genetic knowledge about health and illness seems to be the most accurate, whereas such knowledge about social categorisations and behaviours seems to be the most error-prone. In the current sample, being a female and having interest in genetics were positive predictors of genetic knowledge; surprisingly educational attainment was not a significant predictor. Conclusion: Compared with previous surveys, the current sample showed significantly better genetic knowledge. However, certain areas that relate to public understating still indicate rampant misperceptions.

中文翻译：

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澳大利亚全国样本中的遗传知识：与其他不同人群的比较

背景：遗传知识在我们理解科学、健康、社会群体甚至行为方面发挥着重要作用，在过去的研究中已经对不同人群进行了评估。遗传学的广泛范围意味着不同类型的项目用于评估遗传知识，这限制了基于时间和地点的研究之间的有意义的比较。目的：本研究通过招募澳大利亚范围的样本并使用来自四个不同样本的项目评估他们的遗传知识来解决这一限制。方法：七百八十名澳大利亚人完成了各种评估他们的遗传知识以及一些人口统计指标的项目。结果：结果显示，与之前的样本相比，当前样本的整体遗传知识更胜一筹。此外，研究发现，关于健康和疾病的遗传知识似乎最准确，而关于社会分类和行为的此类知识似乎最容易出错。在当前样本中，女性和对遗传学感兴趣是遗传知识的积极预测因素；令人惊讶的是，教育程度并不是一个重要的预测因素。结论：与之前的调查相比，当前样本显示出明显更好的遗传知识。然而，与公众低估有关的某些领域仍然表明存在普遍的误解。女性和对遗传学感兴趣是遗传知识的积极预测因素；令人惊讶的是，教育程度并不是一个重要的预测因素。结论：与之前的调查相比，当前样本显示出明显更好的遗传知识。然而，与公众低估有关的某些领域仍然表明存在普遍的误解。女性和对遗传学感兴趣是遗传知识的积极预测因素；令人惊讶的是，教育程度并不是一个重要的预测因素。结论：与之前的调查相比，当前样本显示出明显更好的遗传知识。然而，与公众低估有关的某些领域仍然表明存在普遍的误解。