CTS Guide: Biological Evolution, pp 1128-129- Section IV Research Summaries

Mechanism for Evolution

  • A common misconception students have about natural selection is the idea that organisms evolve in response to their needs or desires. This misconception, sometimes referred to as "teleological thinking," suggests that organisms evolve certain traits because they need them or because they want to adapt to their environment (Linn & Eylon, 2011).

  • Gregory’s study (2009) emphasized the need for students to develop a clearer understanding of the mechanisms involved in evolution. His findings suggest that students often misunderstand natural selection as a driving force that actively generates new genetic variation.

  • Many students tend to see adaptation as an intention by the organism to satisfy a desire or need for survival. They tend to believe in the Lamarckian theory of inheritance of acquired characteristics. This belief is common both before and after instruction in genetics and evolution (Driver et al. 1994).

  • An older study by Brumby (1979) of Australian and English biology students showed that even after studying upper-level biology, only 18% of the students could correctly apply natural selection to evolutionary change. Most believed that individuals can adapt to change in the environment if they need to (Lamarckian belief) and that these adaptations are then inherited.

Concept of a Theory

  • Middle school students have difficulty understanding the development of scientific knowledge through the interaction of theory and observation. Studies have indicated that students’ understanding of evolution is related to their understanding of the nature of science, in- cluding understanding what constitutes a theory and their general reasoning abilities (AAAS 2009).

  • Students often use theory to describe a prediction, as in “I have a theory about how that works,” that is based on a guess rather than evidence (Driver et al. 1996).

Confusion with Origin of Life

  • Many people believe that evolution is a theory about the origin of life (University of California Museum of Paleontology 2006).

Fossils

  • Researchers have recognized that children have a keen interest in fossils and that they can be used to engage students in learning about evolutionary change (Hunter et al. 2018).