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Melting Poles, Polio, and Moral Perceptions of Scientists: Humanization and Trust of Scientists in Moral Dilemmas Predicts Science Acceptance

Sosa, Nicholas
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1550575151240985

Abstract Details

2019, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, Experimental Psychology (Arts and Sciences).
Prior research suggests that people perceive scientists as having both humanizing (e.g., trustworthy, rational) and dehumanizing (e.g., robotic, emotionless) qualities. The present research examined if cultural stereotypes of scientists as utilitarian decision- makers predict evaluations of scientists’ humanness. In a series of studies, participants evaluated how they believed scientists and other target groups would resolve different moral dilemmas. Participants perceived scientists (relative to other target groups) as more likely to make utilitarian decisions (Studies 1-5), an effect predicted by scientists’ greater perceived competence (Study 2). Further, scientists who were perceived to make appropriate utilitarian decisions were dehumanized less and trusted more than other target groups (Studies 3-4). Finally, dehumanization ratings had downstream consequences on people’s acceptance of scientific evidence and solutions for two real world problems: climate change (Study 6a) and support for vaccinations for children who have mild illnesses (Study 6b). Implications for perceptions of scientists in moral decision-making are discussed.
Keith Markman (Advisor)
85 p.
Psychology
utilitarianism; deontology; scientists; morality; dehumanization; trust; science denial

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Sosa, N. (2019). Melting Poles, Polio, and Moral Perceptions of Scientists: Humanization and Trust of Scientists in Moral Dilemmas Predicts Science Acceptance [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1550575151240985

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Sosa, Nicholas. Melting Poles, Polio, and Moral Perceptions of Scientists: Humanization and Trust of Scientists in Moral Dilemmas Predicts Science Acceptance. 2019. Ohio University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1550575151240985.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Sosa, Nicholas. "Melting Poles, Polio, and Moral Perceptions of Scientists: Humanization and Trust of Scientists in Moral Dilemmas Predicts Science Acceptance." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1550575151240985

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.