ABSTRACT
When people talk about culture, they most often refer to the cultures attached to populations defined by geographic or ethnic boundaries. Some cultures, however, correspond to boundaries defined by shared interests, job descriptions, and professions, and the like. Frans de Waal (2001) suggests that culture exists when one community is distinguishable from another by unique behaviors; science is one such culture. Scientists speak a common language, and they share a common set of assumptions, values, and beliefs. Scientists thoughts and actions are guided by norms, customs, and rituals that are specific to scientific inquiry. Despite the many different subdisciplines that are called sciences, there is substantial agreement about what science is and what scientists do. So it’s not surprising that the values and practices of the scientific culture have been as heavily studied as those of, say, the Kwakiutul or Kaw cultures. The same processes that govern the emergence and evolution of culture in other kinds of populations also govern the emergence and evolution of culture among scientists.
