Nerd Stereotype Might Drive Women Away From Computer Science
Gendered Stereotypes According to a new study, women who read an article arguing that computer scientists did not fit the common stereotypes were significantly more likely to rate a higher interest in computer science. Wikimedia Commons Psychologists at University of Washington reveal the impact of stereotypes on women's interest in computer science. Who are you calling nerdy? In a recent study at the University of Washington, psychologist Sapna Cheryan found that women are often discouraged from pursuing careers in computer science because they don't like the nerd stereotypes that go along with it. "These stereotypes are inconsistent with the female gender role, the qualities that are considered appropriate for women," Cheryan says in the press release. "It's inconsistent with how many women see themselves and how they want others to see them." To study whether the under-representation of women in science, technology, engineering, and math careers is rooted in a lack of...