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Cited by 1,372Career Development and DiversityGender and Technology in EducationScience Education and Perceptions

Ambient belonging: how stereotypical cues impact gender participation in computer science

Cheryan, Sapna, Plaut, Victoria C., Davies, Paul G., Steele, Claude M.·2009·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
DOI 10.1037/a0016239
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Abstract

People can make decisions to join a group based solely on exposure to that group's physical environment. Four studies demonstrate that the gender difference in interest in computer science is influenced by exposure to environments associated with computer scientists. In Study 1, simply changing the objects in a computer science classroom from those considered stereotypical of computer science (e.g., Star Trek poster, video games) to objects not considered stereotypical of computer science (e.g., nature poster, phone books) was sufficient to boost female undergraduates' interest in computer science to the level of their male peers. Further investigation revealed that the stereotypical broadcast a masculine stereotype that discouraged women's sense of ambient belonging and subsequent interest in the environment (Studies 2, 3, and 4) but had no similar effect on men (Studies 3, 4). This masculine stereotype prevented women's interest from developing even in environments entirely populated by other women (Study 2). Objects can thus come to broadcast stereotypes of a group, which in turn can deter people who do not identify with these stereotypes from joining that group.

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  • The presence of cues aligned with the stereotype of male computer scientists-geeky posters and video games-in a computer science classroom had a negative effect on women's performance.

    “One study, for instance, found that the presence of cues aligned with the stereotype of male computer scientists-geeky posters and video games-in a computer science classroom had a negative effect on women's performance (Cheryan, Plaut, Davies, & Steele, 2009).”

    From Tackling Educational Inequalities with Social Psychology: Identities, Contexts, and Interventions (2021) · cites this paper as Cheryan, Plaut, Davies, & Steele, 2009

  • Stereotype threat can undermine women's sense of belonging in a field and their motivation and desire to pursue success within the field.

    “Stereotype threat can also undermine women's sense of belonging in a field and their motivation and desire to pursue success within the field (Cheryan, Plaut, Davies, & Steele, 2009).”

    From Managing to clear the air: Stereotype threat, women, and leadership (2016) · cites this paper as Cheryan, Plaut, Davies, & Steele, 2009

  • Women exposed to stereotypically masculine items in their environment reported less interest in pursuing computer science than those not exposed.

    “For example, women who were exposed to stereotypically masculine items in their environment, including a Star Trek poster and video games, reported less interest in pursuing computer science than those not exposed to the gendered environment (Cheryan, Plaut, Davies, & Steele, 2009).”

    From Managing to clear the air: Stereotype threat, women, and leadership (2016) · cites this paper as Cheryan, Plaut, Davies, & Steele, 2009

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Authors
Cheryan, S., Plaut, V. C., Davies, P. G., & Steele, C. M.
Affiliations
  • University of Washington (US)
  • University of British Columbia (CA)
  • Stanford University (US)
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
Publisher
American Psychological Association (APA)
Published
2009
Volume
97
Issue
6
Pages
1045-1060
ISSN
  • 0022-3514 (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-1315
DOI
10.1037/a0016239
OpenAlex
W2056648275
Cited by
1,372
References
70
Citations by year
2026: 71 · 2025: 105 · 2024: 137 · 2023: 106 · 2022: 98 · 2021: 117 · 2020: 182 · 2019: 131 · 2018: 91 · 2017: 66 · 2016: 56 · 2015: 66 · 2014: 50 · 2013: 41 · 2012: 21
FWCI
47.09
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Berkley Law Scholarship Repository (University of California, Berkeley) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Safety Research › Career Development and Diversity
  • Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Gender and Technology in Education
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Science Education and Perceptions
Keywords
gender stereotypes, gender gap in computing, stereotype threat, women in technology, gendered objects, female undergraduates
MeSH terms
Analysis of Variance, Computers, Cues, Environment, Female, Gender Identity, Georgia, Group Processes, Humans, Male, Social Identification, Social Perception, Stereotyped Behavior, Stereotyping, Students, Organizational Culture, Informatics

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