What do people think when they hear ‘research scientist’?

That’s the question behind a new Pew Research Center survey, which found that the majority of people think of research scientists as smart. Pew researchers presented a list of desirable qualities — including intelligent and honest — and a list of undesirable qualities — including socially awkward and cold — to more than 4,400 respondents. Some 89% perceived research scientists as intelligent, including an equal number of Democrats and Republicans. A little over half of all respondents thought scientists were good communicators. Those with a higher level of science knowledge also tended to view scientists more favorably. Overall, the good qualities tended to outweigh the not-so-good: 43% (the highest percentage for an undesirable quality) thought scientists were socially awkward and felt superior to others.