Abstract: The image of scientists among the public matters in many ways. By analyzing the dataset drawn from a sampling survey, this paper explores the stereotype of scientists in the mind of urban Chinese and its influencing factors. The result shows that the stereotype of scientists, characterized as “nerds” in pop culture, does exist commonly in Chinese peoples’ mind, more commonly than in American public‘s mind. Further analysis finds that knowledge about scientists, mass media such as TV and scientific fictions, and opportunities of personal contacts with scientists, are all important factors that influence such a stereotype. In the end of this paper, policy implications and future prospective research issues are discussed.