"Alternative Facts" About the Intellectually Gifted: Two Experiments on Stigmatization Effects From Biased Newspaper Reports

• In Event: 21.053 - Pushing the Boundaries of Gifted Education

Abstract

Negative stereotypes about the gifted prevail both among teachers and in society although they do not match reality. They are also dominant in representations of the gifted in public media such as newspaper reports. The present study investigated whether stereotypic representations in newspaper articles contribute to the stigmatization of the gifted and whether evidence-based representations might help destigmatize the gifted. Two experiments with N = 431 and N = 432 university students were conducted. In both experiments, stereotypic representation caused comparatively negative attitudes toward the gifted, whereas evidence-based representation caused comparatively positive attitudes. Results indicate that the media should be aware of their responsibility and researchers should more actively join in the public debate to counteract stigmatization of gifted individuals.

Authors

• Sebastian Bergold, Technical University Dortmund

• Matthias R. Hastall, Technical University Dortmund

• Ricarda Steinmayr, Tu Dortmund