Children's books about scientists may tell kids that talent is something you are born with
Children's books about famous scientists often suggest scientific ability and curiosity are inborn, not built over time. Researchers read and coded 422 best-selling books covering 1,355 scientist characters.
Why it matters
These books are handed to children exactly to make science feel possible for them. But research on motivation suggests children keep going longer when they believe ability grows with practice. If a book says a scientist was fascinated by stars since age four, a child who is not already fascinated may decide science is not for them. The study also found that books about women scientists leaned on hard work rather than talent, matching an old and unfair stereotype. One caution: this study counted what the books say, and did not test how real children react to reading them.
Who's behind it: Jessica R. Gladstone, Gabrielle Applebaum and Andrei Cimpian, New York University.
Summary by the Lemma AI · how we grade