Gender Stereotypes about Brilliance
Abstract
Currently, women are considerably less likely than men to pursue careers in certain fields, not just those in science and technology but also ones in the humanities (e.g., philosophy). The source of these differences is a matter of great debate. In this talk, I will provide new findings showing that these gender imbalances are partly due to the stereotype associating high intelligence with men more than women. In particular, I will present a comprehensive investigation of the “brilliance = males” stereotype, examining its developmental trajectory, its influence on women’s participation and the mechanisms underlying these consequences. These studies speak to the early acquisition of cultural ideas about brilliance and gender, and to the immediate impact that these stereotyped notions have on women’s participation.
