When a Field’s Reputation Precedes It

Inside Higher Ed
By Colleen Flaherty
January 25, 2018

Theories abound as to why women remain underrepresented in may fields.  A new study says that perceived gender bias in a given discipline is the primary criterion women use for selecting a college major, not the perception that a field science or math oriented (sorry, Larry Summers).

Departments "need to think through what types of messages they may be sending about gender and who belongs in a particular major," said lead author Colleen Ganley, an assistant professor of psychology at Florida State University.  "These messages could be quite subtle, but, based on our data, people seem to be picking up on them."

Read the full article at the Inside Higher Ed website here.