Computer Science Is Too Nerdy For Girls
Monday, December 14, 2009 - 16:49
in Psychology & Sociology
The stereotype of the nerdy computer scientist who stays up all night coding and has no social life may be driving women away from the field, and this stereotype can be brought to mind based only on the the environment in a classroom or office, according to a study published this month in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. "When people think of computer science the image that immediately pops into many of their minds is of the computer geek surrounded by such things as computer games, science fiction memorabilia and junk food," said Sapna Cheryan, a University of Washington assistant professor of psychology and the study's lead author. read more