Antecedents and Consequences of the perception of 'Heroic' occupations

What makes certain professions “heroic”? How can this perception influence the targeted occupations, but also society at large? In collaboration with Prof. Giner-Sorolla, I will investigate the perception of occupations typically typecast as “heroic” (e.g., healthcare workers, firefighters, military, etc.). Funded by the Leverhulme Trust, this research project will focus on:

• The antecedents of “heroisation” – what drives society to view certain groups as heroes?

• The consequences of “heroisation” – how this perception can be both a blessing and a curse, affecting individuals in these professions (e.g., exploitation of “heroes”, see Stanley & Kay, 2024) and shaping societal norms (e.g., increased tolerance for unethical behaviors)?

Grounded in the theories of moral roles (e.g., Grey & Wegener, 2009), the project will consist in a rigorous chain of online registered experiments that will inform how malleable perceptions of heroism are, but also on the broad implications (moral, sociological, and economical) of the “hero” typecast.