Female role models: protecting women's math test performance

Marx, David M.; Roman, Jasmin S.

doi:10.1177/01461672022812004

Cited by 621Education, Achievement, and GiftednessCareer Development and DiversitySocial and Intergroup Psychology

Female role models: protecting women's math test performance

Marx, David M., Roman, Jasmin S.·2002·Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin

DOI 10.1177/01461672022812004

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Abstract

Recent theory and research suggest that certain situational factors can harm women’s math test performance. The three studies presented here indicate that female role models can buffer women’s math test performance from the debilitating effects of these situational factors. In Study 1, women’s math test performance was protected when a competent female experimenter (i.e., a female role model) administered the test. Study 2 showed that it was the perception of the female experimenter’s math competence, not her physical presence, that safeguarded the math test performance of women. Study 3 revealed that learning about a competent female experimenter buffered women’s self-appraised math ability, which in turn led to successful performance on a challenging math test.

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Female role models' effectiveness comes in part because they demonstrate that success in the stereotyped domain is attainable, increase social belonging, and inoculate people's sense of self against identity threats.
“The effectiveness of these women comes, in part, because they demonstrate that success in the stereotyped domain is attainable, and the models can both increase a sense of social belonging and inoculate people's sense of self against identity threats (Dasgupta, 2011;Marx, Ko, & Friedman, 2009;Marx & Roman, 2002;McGlone, Aronson, & Kobrynowicz, 2006).”
From Managing to clear the air: Stereotype threat, women, and leadership (2016) · cites this paper as Marx & Roman, 2002
Female role models can protect women from threats to their identity in leadership roles.
“In particular, female role models can play an important role in protecting women from threats to their identity in leadership roles.”
From Managing to clear the air: Stereotype threat, women, and leadership (2016) · cites this paper as Marx & Roman, 2002

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Authors: Marx, D. M., & Roman, J. S.
Affiliations: Harvard University (US)
Corresponding author: Marx, David M.
ORCID: Marx, David M.
Venue: Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Published: 2002-09
Volume: 28
Issue: 9
Pages: 1183-1193
ISSN: 0146-1672 (ISSN-L)
1552-7433
DOI: 10.1177/01461672022812004
OpenAlex: W2074613632
Cited by: 621
References: 38
Citations by year: 2026: 16 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 26 · 2022: 37 · 2021: 33 · 2020: 28 · 2019: 35 · 2018: 40 · 2017: 34 · 2016: 37 · 2015: 42 · 2014: 41 · 2013: 30 · 2012: 27
FWCI: 11.04
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license (tdm)
Locations: Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Education, Achievement, and Giftedness
Social Sciences › Safety Research › Career Development and Diversity
Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social and Intergroup Psychology
Keywords: female role models, gender stereotypes, perceived competence, situational factors

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Female role models: protecting women's math test performance

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