The utilitarian scientist: The humanization of scientists in moral dilemmas

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 predicts evaluations of scientists' humanness. In a series of studies, participants (U.S. Mechanical Turk workers; N = 783) 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). Implications for perceptions of scientists in moral decision-making are discussed.