Abstract
When asked to draw a scientist, children typically draw a gender stereotypical male representation; however, research has not yet assessed these representations in terms of scientist stereotypical skin tone. The current study examined children's (N = 69, 66.7% female, Mage = 7.60, SD = 2.13) scientist perceptions by analyzing both the gender and skin tone of their scientist drawings as well as stereotypical features represented (lab coats, scientific instruments, etc.). This study also examined how these perceptions as reflected in the drawings were related to children's explicit gender stereotypes and their science growth mindset. Boys were less likely to draw a female scientist than were girls. Additionally, children with higher growth mindset were more likely to draw a female scientist. Lastly, with age, children were less likely to draw a female scientist, or a darker skin-toned scientist as compared with a male or lighter skin-toned scientist and were more likely to draw a scientist with stereotypical features. This study furthers our knowledge of children's perceptions about scientists.
Keywords
childhood, drawings, mindset, science, stereotypes
Date of this Version
9-10-2024
Recommended Citation
Joy, Angelina; Mathews, Channing J.; Hartstone-Rose, Adam; and Mulvaney, Kelly Lynn, "What does a scientist look like? Children's perceptions of scientist gender and skin tone" (2024). Purdue Center for Early Learning Faculty and Staff Publications. Paper 39.
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/celpubs/39
Comments
This is the publisher PDF of Angelina Joy, Channing J. Mathews, Adam Hartstone-Rose, Kelly Lynn Mulvey. (2024) "What does a scientist look like? Children's perceptions of scientist gender and skin tone" School Science and Mathematics.
It is published CC-BY and the version of record is also available at DOI: 10.1111/ssm.18308.