If you’ve made it this far, chances are you’ve got a soft spot for science or at least a healthy dose of curiosity about how science people think. But have you ever wondered why some of us are naturally drawn to the sciences while others prefer the humanities? Is it just personal taste, or is there more to it?
Let’s start with a few numbers. According to Pew Research Center, about 75% of adults in the US said they liked science classes in school, and 58% said they enjoyed math. Nearly half of Americans said they liked both.
When asked why, most pointed to the subject itself—not the teacher. 68% of science fans said they loved it because of the material, while those who didn’t often blamed how it was taught. Math followed a similar pattern.
Honestly, as someone who leaned more toward the humanities, those stats surprised me. I’ve always felt my own experience depended a lot on the teacher.
I loved physics—mostly because our teacher was brilliant. Chemistry? Hated it. Bad teacher. Biology? The teacher was kind of odd, so my feelings about the subject were… complicated.
Math? Sometimes cool, often tedious. So, for me, how it was taught made all the difference.
But maybe it’s not just about school. Some experts believe personality could also play a part.
Scientists have identified five big personality traits—curiosity, friendliness, conscientiousness, outgoingness, and nervousness. And yes, research suggests these traits are partly inherited. So, if your parents are outgoing or super curious, there’s a good chance you are, too.
These traits can influence how you engage with science. For example, a curious person might love diving into new ideas, while someone who’s more anxious might shy away from theories that aren’t fully proven yet. Out of all traits, curiosity seems to be the strongest link to having a “science mindset.”
