© 2024 University of Missouri - KBIA
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Under the Microscope: November 4, 2010

Marionville Deputy Clerk Kathy Urschel holds up her white squirrel, Rocky.
Rebecca Wolfson
/
KBIA
Marionville Deputy Clerk Kathy Urschel holds up her white squirrel, Rocky.

White Squirrels thrive in Marionville, Missouri, in spite of their genetic deficiencies on “Call of the Wild.”  New research at MU’s PRIME Lab reveals findings about stereotypes.

First, University of Missouri researchers have recently discovered that people trained to think in opposition to stereotypes are more receptive to advertisements starring minority actors. Peoples heart rates and other physiological responses were measured in response to images.  Paul Bolls is co-director of the prime lab, which is where the study took place. KBIA’s Karen Song asked Bolls about the implications of the study.

Then, one Missouri town’s love affair with an albino rodent. Marionville, population 2,113, hosts one of the world’s largest white squirrel colonies. (Click here for the full story.)

Watch the video below to learn more about Marionville’s white squirrels.