The Unexpected Negative Side Effects of Viewing Healthcare Workers as ‘Heroes’

Stethoscope, flowers and medical protective mask with wooden cubes. Text heroes for gratitude to medical personnel and doctors

Local media coverage including WGN Radio and FOX 32 covered a new study lead by Zhenyu Yuan, Assistant Professor of Managerial Studies, evaluating the public perceptions of essential workers.

The goal of the study, which is published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, was to compare the implications of portraying essential workers as heroes versus victims. Our cultural construction of a hero is someone who is willingly making self-sacrifices. Therefore, in calling essential workers heroes, we may go down the slippery slope of taking for granted their sacrifices and suffering,” said Professor Yuan.