Stereotypic Experiences of Underrepresented Groups in STEM: Sources, Effects, and Coping Strategies

• In Event: 35.030 - Motivation and Sociocultural Context: Examining Ethnic Identity and Persistence

Abstract

This qualitative study investigated women’s stereotypic experiences and the meaning making of such experiences related to their motivation and persistence in STEM. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 racially-diverse female STEM undergraduates one year after graduating college. We identified three major themes including (1) sources of stereotype threat; (2) effects of stereotypic experiences, and (3) coping strategies. We found that being numerically underrepresented often co-occurred with experiencing microaggressions and negatively influenced some students’ competence beliefs and discouraged them from persisting in STEM. However, finding role models from the student’s identified group buffered negative effects for most students. The findings have implications for how to support underrepresented students in STEM disciplines.

Authors

• Delaram A. Totonchi, Old Dominion University

• Amalia Krystal Lira, Michigan State University

• Yuanyuan Yue, Old Dominion University

• Lisa Linnenbrink-Garcia, Michigan State University

• Tony Perez, Old Dominion University