Misrepresentation on the Misrepresentation on the Princeton University HomepagePrinceton University Homepage
PSY/ORF 322PSY/ORF 322Final Project PresentationFinal Project Presentation
10 May 200410 May 2004
Lizzy Louis ‘04Lizzy Louis ‘04Cory Jerch ‘04Cory Jerch ‘04
Advisor: Prof J. CooperAdvisor: Prof J. Cooper
Motivation: Double-Dippin’ TaufiqMotivation: Double-Dippin’ Taufiq
OutlineOutline
Project Objective & ApproachProject Objective & ApproachBackground on Princeton’s HomepageBackground on Princeton’s HomepageMisrepresentationMisrepresentation
ProblemProblemSourceSourceConsequencesConsequences
Possible SolutionsPossible SolutionsConclusion & QuestionsConclusion & Questions
Project Objective & ApproachProject Objective & Approach Identify:Identify:
Misrepresentations: 8 months Misrepresentations: 8 months of homepage photosof homepage photos
Source: interview webmaster Source: interview webmaster Consequences: survey Consequences: survey
members of PU communitymembers of PU community Suggest possible solutionsSuggest possible solutions
Urban sociologist Prof. Doug Massey on the scene in front of Hamilton Jewelers
Background on PU HomepageBackground on PU Homepage
Princeton’s window to the worldPrinceton’s window to the worldStarted in 1994, unchanged sinceStarted in 1994, unchanged sinceMain photograph changes ~3 times Main photograph changes ~3 times
weeklyweekly Important that the webpage portrays an Important that the webpage portrays an
accurate representation of the Princeton accurate representation of the Princeton University communityUniversity community
Misrepresentation: ProblemMisrepresentation: Problem
Graduate & engineering Graduate & engineering students, athletes are students, athletes are underrepresentedunderrepresented 2% of photos involved 2% of photos involved
athletics in 2003-2004 athletics in 2003-2004 (70% pop)(70% pop)
3% of photos involved 3% of photos involved engineering in 2003-2004 engineering in 2003-2004 (18% pop)(18% pop)
Faculty, staff, and fine Faculty, staff, and fine arts are overrepresentedarts are overrepresented Prof. Valerie Smith (AAS)Prof. Valerie Smith (AAS) Prof. Paul ChaikinProf. Paul Chaikin
PU Populations and Frequencies on Homepage
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
U-Grad Grad Fac/Staff
Per
cen
t/10
0
Population Homepage Frequency
Misrepresentation: ProblemMisrepresentation: Problem
SEAS Populations and Homepage Picture Frequency
0.000
0.050
0.100
0.150
0.200
0.250
0.300
Undergrads Graduate Students Faculty
Pe
rce
nt
Un
ive
rsit
y P
op
ula
tio
n (
x
0.0
1)
SEAS University Population SEAS Homepage Pictures
Breakdown of 78 photos in which department was specified:Breakdown of 78 photos in which department was specified: 67% Non-technical: social science, humanities67% Non-technical: social science, humanities 27% Technical: math, natural science27% Technical: math, natural science 6% Engineering6% Engineering
Misrepresentation: SourceMisrepresentation: Source
Office of Communications Office of Communications is in charge of PU is in charge of PU homepagehomepage Staffed by professionals with Staffed by professionals with
backgrounds in liberal arts, backgrounds in liberal arts, English, journalism, etc.English, journalism, etc.
Staff is more likely to pick Staff is more likely to pick topics in their subject area for topics in their subject area for PU homepagePU homepage
Promote President TilghmanPromote President Tilghman
Squeaky Wheel: Groups Squeaky Wheel: Groups are not proactive about are not proactive about advertisingadvertising
Misrepresentation: ConsequencesMisrepresentation: Consequences
Engineers are least impressed with PU homepage, they visit least Engineers are least impressed with PU homepage, they visit least frequentlyfrequently
Impressions of Homepage
3.303.353.403.453.503.553.603.653.703.75
Humanities Social Sciences NaturalSciences
Engineering
Academic Area
Rat
ing
(5
is H
igh
est
Rat
ing
)
Misrepresentation: ConsequencesMisrepresentation: Consequences
Frequency of PU Homepage Visits
4.00
4.10
4.20
4.30
4.40
4.50
4.60
4.70
Humanities Social Sciences NaturalSciences
Engineering
Academic Area
Rat
ing
(5
is M
ost
Fre
qu
ent)
Misrepresentation: ConsequencesMisrepresentation: Consequences
Engineers not Engineers not attracted to Princeton?attracted to Princeton?
Athletes more likely to Athletes more likely to attend elsewhere?attend elsewhere?
Grad students bitter?Grad students bitter?
Only photos featuring athletics (Sep ’03 – Apr ’04)
Possible SolutionsPossible Solutions
Diversify Office of CommunicationsDiversify Office of CommunicationsEstablish a quota system for PU Establish a quota system for PU
homepage pictures based off population homepage pictures based off population distributionsdistributions
Encourage groups to submit Encourage groups to submit advertisements to PU homepageadvertisements to PU homepage
Conclusions & QuestionsConclusions & Questions
PU homepage under- and PU homepage under- and over-represents various over-represents various groups on campusgroups on campus
May be due to webmaster May be due to webmaster preference or lack of group preference or lack of group activismactivism
Under-representation may Under-representation may alienate groups, over-alienate groups, over-representation portrays a representation portrays a skewed image to worldskewed image to world
Don’t loose any sleep over Don’t loose any sleep over this though!this though!
Another double dipper: Prof. Chaikin