Original scientific paper
General Information Knowledge of People of Various Socio-Demographic Background
Predrag Zarevski
; Faculty of Philosophy, Zagreb, Croatia
Silvija Kujundžić
; Faculty of Philosophy, Zagreb, Croatia
Ana Lasić
; Faculty of Philosophy, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
A sample of 1.653 subjects with three, in size relatively equal, stratums of different urban background (Zagreb; large city: Rijeka, Osijek; small town: Sl. Brod, N. Gorica, Imotski), type of high school they attend (gymnasium, four- or three-year vocational school) and gender was tested on the new version of General Information Knowledge Test. This test contains 125 questions from various areas such as geography, history, biology and medicine, politics, art, sports and fun, astronomy, technology and computer science, everyday events and terms, etc. (Zarevski, 2001). Results reveal that general information knowledge of younger generations in our society is becoming more independent from two important socio-demographic factors: gender and size of the place students attend their school in. Research done during the late 1980's and early 1990's showed a clear differentiation in general information knowledge on these two factors (Novačić, 1987; Stanuga, 1987; Zarevski, 1987; 1993; 1995a). Important external factor of socio-economic status shows low, but still significant relation with general information knowledge. Larger differences in general informationknowledge are found depending on the type of school subjects attend. This result was expected according to the assumption of spontaneous self-selection of students when enrolling in certain type of secondary education institution, as well as due to the generaintellectual level in secondary schools of different types. Gymnasium students were more successful then those attending vocationalschools. Differences, in favour of those with longer education, were also fond among students enrolled in four- or three-year vocational school programme.
Keywords
GENERAL INFORMATION KNOWLEDGE; GENDER; RESIDENTIAL STATUS; EDUCATIONAL STATUS
Hrčak ID:
25900
URI
Publication date:
31.12.2002.
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