Abstract

Multilayer nature in personal epistemology, with general, academic and domain levels of epistemological beliefs has been proposed. However, context has been considered in general and imprecise way. The aim of this study was to establish differences across epistemological beliefs levels, considering the influence of context. In an intrasubject design, epistemological understanding in each of the three levels was assessed in specialized and non-specialized context, on four groups of participants who have different proximity with specialized context. Results support differences across levels of beliefs, but only among general and academic and domain beliefs, not among academic and domain beliefs. Context nature and proximity with context were also relevant, but in unexpected way.