The study found that when undergrads are subconsciously reminded of their femininity, their attitudes towards math and science – areas traditionally dominated by men – undergo a rapid and disturbing shift.

Right: York professor and study co-author Jennifer Steele

Participants were shown computerized flashes of feminine words such as “lipstick,” “pink” and “purse” – each lasting for less than a second. They were then asked to rate how pleasant they found various tasks associated with arts or math, for example, analyzing a poem or completing an algebra problem.

Women who were subconsciously primed with feminine words showed a marked preference for arts over math, whereas those primed with traditionally “male” terms like “football,” “cigar,” and “tough,” did not. A follow-up study using different primes suggests that it was the female stereotypes that were affecting women’s attitudes. Study participants included women enrolled in a wide range of disciplines.

“It’s very disturbing,” says study co-author Jennifer Steele, an assistant professor of psychology in York’s Atkinson Faculty of Liberal and Professional Studies. “Most women don’t actively endorse those kinds of stereotypes, yet these extremely subtle cues in our environment can actually cause a shift in the way we view ourselves.”

Steele worries that university can become what she calls “the great divider” along lines of gender. “Unfortunately, the sexes often get divided when people start to choose majors,” she says.

“Women continue to be under-represented in gender-stereotyped fields such as math and science, and their attitudes towards these subject areas are critical in predicting their willingness to pursue advanced degrees and careers in these domains.”

Steele says this and other research provides evidence that something as simple as being asked to identify one’s gender on an SAT could have a negative impact on women’s performance.

She is currently conducting follow-up research. “We’re interested in how positive role models might offset some effects of gender stereotypes,” Steele says. “Now that we’re finding out what some of the psychological barriers are, we’re looking at how they can be overcome.”

The study, “Math is hard!” The effect of gender priming on women’s attitudes, will be published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology.

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For more information, contact:
Melissa Hughes, Media Relations, York University, 416-736-2100 x22097/mehughes@yorku.ca