Do Gender Distribution and Masculine/Feminine Traits in Men and Women Influence Perceptions of STEM Fields?

• In Event: I-Presentation Gallery

iPresentation URL: https://aera24-aera.ipostersessions.com/Default.aspx?s=48-9D-5D-56-57-49-32-A1-97-A9-91-54-5E-EF-7C-5D

Abstract

This study examined if manipulating the perceived distribution of males and females across STEM fields interacted with views of masculinity and femininity to influence ratings of the intellectual ability, scientific rigor, and starting salaries of those fields. Undergraduate students were randomly assigned into four conditions and placed into two groups. The no STEM manipulation group were told that physics was male-dominated, and the STEM manipulation group were told that physics had an equal distribution of men and women. Interactions suggested viewing physics as male-dominated resulted in higher innate intelligence ratings when students were less accepting of feminine men and more accepting of masculine women. The opposite held for students believing that physics had equal numbers of men and women.

Author

• Jessica L. Degol, Pennsylvania State University - Altoona