Adult Stereotypes about Scientists 1983 and 2001: Gender, Time and Media Effects

Considerable interest exists about gender composition in different science and technology fields, in particular, the low numbers of women in physical science and engineering. Past research indicates that students of all ages often stereotype scientists as unattractive white male eccentric workaholics, images that can act to discourage student interests in science or science careers. Not only can adults transmit negative images about scientists to youth, but stereotypes about scientists may also affect perceived scientific expertise in policy decisions, because Americans may see scientists as removed from “everyday lifeÀ. In this study I examine adult stereotypes about scientists, analyzing 3219 respondents from the 1983 and 2001 NSF Surveys of Public Understanding of Science and Technology. Stereotypes about scientists became more positive over time, although sizable minorities continue to negatively stereotype science workers. Approval of a science career for a child of either sex also increased. Women were more positive about scientists than men but less often had considered a science career for themselves. Stereotypes about scientists also were influenced by time, age, educational variables, and a religiosity proxy. Print media and television use also related to scientist stereotypes in diverse ways, probably reflecting both cultivation and self-selection media effects.

Publisher: Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association Annual Meeting, Sheraton Boston and the Boston Marriott Copley Place, Boston, MA, Jul 31, 2008
Year of Publication: 2008