Brilliant characters are a staple of TV and film. But when these characters are women or people of color, some viewers find them less believable—even when the stories are based on real events. A study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign reveals how stereotypes about intelligence shape these reactions.

The researchers showed participants clips of “genius” characters, such as the Black female mathematicians in Hidden Figures and chess prodigy Bobby Fischer in Pawn Sacrifice. People who held strong stereotypes about intelligence were more likely to see the white male character as realistic and the Black or female characters as atypical of geniuses.

Unusual genius

This belief in atypicality was key. Participants who thought intelligence was unusual for Black people or women rated these characters as less realistic than their white male counterparts. Importantly, the study found no such skepticism about white male characters.

The study surveyed 1,000 Americans aged 19 to 77, 53% of whom were women. Participants rated photos of faces—split by race and gender—on traits like intelligence and emotionality. Only ratings tied to intelligence affected judgments of realism.

The findings highlight a challenge for diverse storytelling. Fictional media can reduce biases by showing audiences different perspectives, but this works only if viewers accept the characters. The study found that people with strong stereotypes often dismiss stories featuring counter-stereotypical characters as unrealistic, especially when they suspect an attempt to influence their views.

More troubling, these same viewers tend to avoid media with diverse characters altogether. So the people who might benefit most from exposure to different stories are least likely to seek them out.

Despite greater diversity on screen, the study shows that some viewers are reluctant to revise their beliefs. To succeed in changing minds, storytellers must first overcome this resistance.