Advisor Information
Carey Ryan
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
1-3-2019 10:45 AM
End Date
1-3-2019 12:00 PM
Abstract
Women account for only 28% of the STEM workforce (Neuhauser, 2014). One contributing factor may be gendered wording in advertisements (e.g., the use of more masculine wording in male-dominated fields). Masculine wording may discourage women from applying for male-dominated STEM careers. Research has shown, for example, that participants perceive there to be more men in occupations that use more masculine than feminine wording in their advertisements, resulting in women finding the jobs less appealing (Gaucher et al., 2011; Horvath & Sczesnya, 2016).
The present research examined whether gendered wording in an advertisement for a male-dominated STEM career affects perceptions of interest in the job. In addition, we examined whether gendered wording affects experiences of stereotype threat and perceptions of the the job as affording communal and agentic goals. Regardless of wording, women experienced greater stereotype threat than did men, resulting in less interest in applying. Overall, the job was viewed as affording greater agentic (vs. communal) goals, but viewing the job as affording communal (vs. agentic) goals was associated with greater job suitability and job belongingness
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Applicant Reactions to Gendered Wording in Job Advertisements
Women account for only 28% of the STEM workforce (Neuhauser, 2014). One contributing factor may be gendered wording in advertisements (e.g., the use of more masculine wording in male-dominated fields). Masculine wording may discourage women from applying for male-dominated STEM careers. Research has shown, for example, that participants perceive there to be more men in occupations that use more masculine than feminine wording in their advertisements, resulting in women finding the jobs less appealing (Gaucher et al., 2011; Horvath & Sczesnya, 2016).
The present research examined whether gendered wording in an advertisement for a male-dominated STEM career affects perceptions of interest in the job. In addition, we examined whether gendered wording affects experiences of stereotype threat and perceptions of the the job as affording communal and agentic goals. Regardless of wording, women experienced greater stereotype threat than did men, resulting in less interest in applying. Overall, the job was viewed as affording greater agentic (vs. communal) goals, but viewing the job as affording communal (vs. agentic) goals was associated with greater job suitability and job belongingness