Enduring Influence of Stereotypical Computer Science Role Models on Women’s Academic Aspirations

The current work examines whether a brief exposure to a computer science role model who fits stereotypes of computer scientists has a lasting influence on women’s interest in the field. One-hundred undergraduate women who were not computer science majors met a female or male peer role model who embo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychology of women quarterly 2013-03, Vol.37 (1), p.72-79
Main Authors: Cheryan, Sapna, Drury, Benjamin J., Vichayapai, Marissa
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Academic achievement
Academic Aspiration
Attitudes
College students
Computer Science
Computers
Females
Feminism
Feminist psychology
Gender Differences
Gender stereotypes
Majors (Students)
Media
Psychology
Role Models
Scientists
Sense of belonging
Sex inequality
Sex Stereotypes
Social influence
Stereotypes
Student Attitudes
Undergraduate Students
Women
Womens studies
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Summary:The current work examines whether a brief exposure to a computer science role model who fits stereotypes of computer scientists has a lasting influence on women’s interest in the field. One-hundred undergraduate women who were not computer science majors met a female or male peer role model who embodied computer science stereotypes in appearance and stated interests or the same role model who did not embody these stereotypes. Participants and role models engaged in an interaction that lasted approximately 2 minutes. Interest in majoring in computer science was assessed following the interaction and 2 weeks later outside the laboratory. Results revealed that exposure to the stereotypical role model had both an immediate and an enduring negative effect on women’s interest in computer science. Differences in interest at both times were mediated by women’s reduced sense of belonging in computer science upon interacting with the stereotypical role model. Gender of the role model had no effect. Whether a potential role model conveys to women a sense of belonging in the field may matter more in recruiting women into computer science than gender of the role model. Long-term negative effects of exposure to computer scientists who fit current stereotypes in the media and elsewhere may help explain current gender disparities in computer science participation.
ISSN:0361-6843
1471-6402
DOI:10.1177/0361684312459328