2022/06/01 by Erin McPherson, Sarah Banchefsky, Bernadette Park · 1 citation
Psychology · Social Sciences · #Career Development and Diversity #Science Education and Perceptions #Social and Intergroup Psychology
paper · doi:10.1521/soco.2022.40.3.228
openalex publication_date 2022/06/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/25
Previous work using implicit tasks has demonstrated associations at a categorical level between men and science-related words (e.g., chemistry, physics, engineering). The current research explores trait attributes, examining the overlap in trait stereotypes of scientists with trait stereotypes of men and women, using both implicit and explicit stereotyping measures. Study 1 identified traits stereotypically associated with scientists along the analytic and cold dimensions, and counterstereotypic traits on unquestioning and warm dimensions. Study 2 demonstrated strong gender-scientist stereotypes on both explicit and implicit measures such that men were seen as more analytic and cold and less unquestioning and warm than women. Although robust effects were observed on both types of measures, their correlation was weak and nonsignificant. The misfit between trait perceptions of scientists and women, whether measured implicitly or explicitly, suggests trait stereotypes help maintain the gender imbalance in physical science fields.