Virtual Commons - Bridgewater State University

Poster: Fitting In: How Perceptions of Science could Contribute to Women’s Underrepresentation in Science Fields

Moakley Atrium

A perceived lack of fit for women in science could contribute to their underrepresentation in science fields. Namely, communal traits (e.g., nurturance), which are typically associated with women, could be perceived as not as well suited for science fields as agentic traits (e.g., independence), which are typically associated with men. A survey of 115 faculty and 122 students in science fields revealed that they perceived agentic traits as more important for success in science than communal traits, and that women perceive themselves as more communal than men. Furthermore, regression analyses revealed that female students who perceive themselves as communal and communal traits as important for success in science report being more satisfied with their field than those who demonstrate a disconnect between their perceptions of themselves and of science. These results support the idea that a perceived lack of fit could affect women’s experiences in science fields.