What do children think when they draw a scientist?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Math Is Hard
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around children's perceptions of scientists, particularly how they depict them in drawings. It explores the stereotypes associated with scientists, including their appearance and characteristics, as well as the cultural influences that shape these perceptions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that children often draw scientists with exaggerated features such as wild hair, lab coats, and coke-bottle glasses, reflecting a stereotype from a bygone era.
  • Others suggest that the portrayal of scientists in cartoons influences children's perceptions, often depicting them as mad scientists similar to Einstein.
  • A participant mentions that children might also visualize various creatures when thinking of scientists, indicating a broader imagination.
  • There is a humorous exchange about the appearance of scientists, with some participants jokingly agreeing with the mad scientist stereotype.
  • Some participants express skepticism about children's understanding of scientists, with one stating that kids are "stupid," while another counters that wisdom can come from children.
  • References to online images of scientists are made, with participants discussing how these images may reinforce certain stereotypes.
  • One participant mentions a similar study regarding children's perceptions of mathematicians, noting that they are often seen as old and grumpy.
  • There is a playful debate about the attractiveness of mathematicians and scientists, with references to actors portraying these roles.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of agreement and disagreement regarding the stereotypes of scientists. While some acknowledge the common perceptions, others challenge these views or suggest alternative interpretations, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects a variety of assumptions about children's understanding of science and scientists, as well as the influence of media on these perceptions. There are unresolved questions about the accuracy of these stereotypes and how they may differ across cultures or contexts.

  • #61
BobG said:
Well, for one thing, the story is an embellishment. Years later, Wiener's daughter was asked about it and denied that he had actually forgotten her name. He did forget where his new house was.
O.K. If you insist: What a sucky load of misinformation you posted!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #62
BobG said:
Two cute mathematicians that come to mind right off the bat are Hypatia of Alexandria and Florence Nightingale. Hypatia is considered the first important woman mathematician and Florence Nightengale's work with statistics revolutionized military health care.
I'm a little hesitant to piss off living mathematicians, but I can't resist mentioning Abigail Thompson. I think she's into bondage. :smile:
I think Lisa Randall is quite a lovely physicist.
http://www.physics.harvard.edu/images/profheadshots/randall.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #63
What the hell is this?
The "sexy scientists" thread? O_o
 
  • #64
Sting said:
I'll be finishing my bachelors in physics this semester and will be heading for graduate school in mechanical engineering...and to top it off, I go to a school SATURATED with geeks and nerds, so you would think I have the nerd-geek thing going.
While I admit I have wild looking hair, my attire isn't all that geeky.
You'll most likely catch me in flannel, jeans, and workboots and outdoors chopping wood...but I have a pair of leather pants as well, just to break away from the "country boy" image.
I saw your pics! Great hair! Right now it just looks wild and rocker-ish, but when you become an old man you will be able to do a great Einstein impression.:smile:
 
  • #65
Lisa Randall, sure is a pretty physicist (at least on that picture) :biggrin:
 
  • #66
Math Is Hard said:
I think Lisa Randall is quite a lovely physicist.
http://www.physics.harvard.edu/images/profheadshots/randall.jpg
[/URL]
One can only wonder where that photo was taken - it would probably cause her endless embarrassment if any of her peers saw that photo (as if there were any chance of her peers ever leaving the lab). When caught in her normal environs, she takes pains to conform to the traditional scientist bad hair day. Interview with Lisa Randall

Obviously, the hair thing is an intentional social statement that's clear only to other scientists. Even our own Moonbear added a disclaimer about hair (ever commute to work on West Virginia highways?).

Moonbear said:
Well, Zz can vouch for me...no coke bottle glasses (no corrective lenses of any variety actually), my hair only sticks up when the air is really dry and staticky (or after getting off a roller coaster), and I'm only tempted by blue drinks, not green bubbly ones. Of course I could be the extraordinarily special exception to the rule.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #67
BobG said:
When caught in her normal environs, she takes pains to conform to the traditional scientist bad hair day. Interview with Lisa Randall


:!) :!) :!)

Brilliant and Attractive? I think I'm in love...
 
  • #68
I saw your pics! Great hair!.

Thanks :biggrin: . I wish my mom thought the same.

Right now it just looks wild and rocker-ish, but when you become an old man you will be able to do a great Einstein impression.

lol. Interesting you mention that. I wanted to be a rock star for the longest (and I love playing the guitar and drums though I haven't quite gotten use to the whole headbanging thing).

Do you think girls will dig the Einstein impression?
 
  • #69
  • #70
you know, this thread just made me remember something sort of disturbing. when i was a little girl, (well, i still have it now) i had an einstein poster that was above my bed. one day, i was looking at it, and I'm not sure why, i mean, i guess i always looked up to him a bit, and smart guys are pretty attractive and all... but i thought about... well, i... i pictured what he must be like naked...

...

wasn't very awesome.
 
  • #71
kant, I didn't know you could rape gangsters! O_o

Unless I missed something in the popularity stream...
 
  • #72
franznietzsche said:
:!) :!) :!)
Brilliant and Attractive? I think I'm in love...
It's meant to be. Throws rice at franz and Lisa Randall. :approve:
Sting said:
Do you think girls will dig the Einstein impression?
Only the cool ones. :smile:
Gale said:
No no no. The average scientist looks like a gangster raper

i'm not sure why, i mean, i guess i always looked up to him a bit, and smart guys are pretty attractive and all... but i thought about... well, i... i pictured what he must be like naked...
...
wasn't very awesome.
I'm sure he was much hotter in his younger days. Most of the posters I see of him show him when he was much older.
 
  • #73
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #74
Math Is Hard said:
I'm sure he was much hotter in his younger days. Most of the posters I see of him show him when he was much older.
Young Einstein, who was, after all the Einstein who did all the physics we remember, had a very intriguing face:

http://www.einstein.ethz.ch/Einstein.jpg

There's always a look in his eyes in these younger pictures which I take to be barely contained amusement.
 
Last edited by a moderator: