Using selfies to challenge public stereotypes of scientists

In an online Qualtrics panel survey experiment (N = 1620), we found that scientists posting self-portraits ("selfies") to Instagram from the science lab/field were perceived as significantly warmer and more trustworthy, and no less competent, than scientists posting photos of only their wo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:PloS one 2019-05, Vol.14 (5), p.e0216625-e0216625
Main Authors: Jarreau, Paige Brown, Cancellare, Imogene A, Carmichael, Becky J, Porter, Lance, Toker, Daniel, Yammine, Samantha Z
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis
Biology and Life Sciences
Biomedical Research
Body Image - psychology
Cognition & reasoning
Computer and Information Sciences
Digital media
Female
Humans
Internet services
Male
Medicine and Health Sciences
Morality
People and Places
Perceptions
Photography
Physical Sciences
Portraits
Practice
Research and Analysis Methods
Science Policy
Scientists
Self portraits
Social aspects
Social Media
Social networks
Social Sciences
Stereotypes (Psychology)
Stereotyping
Surveys and Questionnaires
Trustworthiness
Viewing
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Summary:In an online Qualtrics panel survey experiment (N = 1620), we found that scientists posting self-portraits ("selfies") to Instagram from the science lab/field were perceived as significantly warmer and more trustworthy, and no less competent, than scientists posting photos of only their work. Participants who viewed scientist selfies, especially posts containing the face of a female scientist, perceived scientists as significantly warmer than did participants who saw science-only images or control images. Participants who viewed selfies also perceived less symbolic threat from scientists. Most encouragingly, participants viewing selfies, either of male or female scientists, did not perceive scientists as any less competent than did participants viewing science-only or control images. Subjects who viewed female scientist selfies also perceived science as less exclusively male. Our findings suggest that self-portraiture by STEM professionals on social media can mitigate negative attitudes toward scientists.
ISSN:1932-6203
1932-6203
DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0216625