Why do we Select the Ideas That we Select?

Advisor Information

Roni Reiter-Palmon

Location

MBSC Ballroom - Poster #610 - G

Presentation Type

Poster

Start Date

4-3-2022 2:00 PM

End Date

4-3-2022 3:15 PM

Abstract

Idea evaluation and selection involves the process of deciding whether an idea should be rejected, revised, or implemented. During this process, a single solution is often selected out of multiple solutions, which is why we want to understand how that choice of a single solution is made.

Previous research has suggested that individuals may select ideas based on certain attributes. Additionally, research has also suggested that men are viewed as more creative than women, so idea suggester gender may influence idea selection. Thus, the current research investigated whether or not gender influences how ideas are evaluated and selected, and set to identify the factors that are used to justify the selection of specific ideas.

Participants (n = 251) were asked to read through an ambiguous problem and eight equally creative solutions. Four solutions were accompanied by a stereotypical male name (e.g., Dominic) and the other four with a stereotypical female name (e.g., Margaret). Participants were asked to choose which solution is most creative, which solution is most implementable, and which solution is most practical. Upon selection, participants were asked to describe why they selected each solution.

The open-ended responses to each selection were content coded and the dimensions of the reasons were identified. The results indicated that a gender bias may exist. The responses to which idea was most creative indicated that solutions generated by men were selected because they were more unique and novel, whereas solutions generated by women were selected because they included greater collaboration or third-party involvement.

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Mar 4th, 2:00 PM Mar 4th, 3:15 PM

Why do we Select the Ideas That we Select?

MBSC Ballroom - Poster #610 - G

Idea evaluation and selection involves the process of deciding whether an idea should be rejected, revised, or implemented. During this process, a single solution is often selected out of multiple solutions, which is why we want to understand how that choice of a single solution is made.

Previous research has suggested that individuals may select ideas based on certain attributes. Additionally, research has also suggested that men are viewed as more creative than women, so idea suggester gender may influence idea selection. Thus, the current research investigated whether or not gender influences how ideas are evaluated and selected, and set to identify the factors that are used to justify the selection of specific ideas.

Participants (n = 251) were asked to read through an ambiguous problem and eight equally creative solutions. Four solutions were accompanied by a stereotypical male name (e.g., Dominic) and the other four with a stereotypical female name (e.g., Margaret). Participants were asked to choose which solution is most creative, which solution is most implementable, and which solution is most practical. Upon selection, participants were asked to describe why they selected each solution.

The open-ended responses to each selection were content coded and the dimensions of the reasons were identified. The results indicated that a gender bias may exist. The responses to which idea was most creative indicated that solutions generated by men were selected because they were more unique and novel, whereas solutions generated by women were selected because they included greater collaboration or third-party involvement.