Educational, attitudinal, and sociocultural factors create barriers that prevent girls and young women from pursuing opportunities in science. Of these barriers, gender-role stereotypes of science have been cited as a significant obstacle. This research analyses a US television series that counters gender-role stereotypes of science. The analysis found the images presented on this series challenge previously reported stereotypes of women scientists shown in the US media by emphasizing the expertise of women scientists, showing alternatives for balancing the demands of their professional and personal lives, and providing examples of role models who have succeeded in male-dominated fields. The significance of these results are discussed in light of gender schema theory and the need for future research on the effects of women scientist role models on girls' and young women's interest in science.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Kahle, J. B. , and Rennie, L. J., 1993, Ameliorating gender differences in attitudes about science: a cross-national study. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 2, 321-334.
2.
Skolnick, J. , Langbort, C., and Day, L., 1982, How to Encourage Girls in Math and Science (New Jersey: Prentice-Hall).
3.
National Center for Education Statistics , 1995, Digest of Educational Statistics 1995 (Washington DC: US Department of Education).
4.
US Department of Labor , 1996, Employment and Earnings, 43(4) (Washington, DC: US Department of Labor).
5.
National Science Foundation , 1996, Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering: 1996 (Arlington, VA: National Science Foundation), NSF-96-311.
6.
Jones, M. G. , and Wheatley, J., 1990, Gender differences in teacher-student interactions in science classrooms. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 27(9), 861-874.
7.
Lock, R. , 1992, Gender and practical skill performance in science. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 29(3), 227-241.
8.
Shepardson, D. P. , and Pizzini, E. L., 1992, Gender bias in female elementary teachers' perceptions of scientific ability of students. Science Education, 76(2), 147-153.
9.
Smith, W. S. , and Erb, T. O., 1986, Effect of women science career role models on early adolescents' attitudes toward scientists and women in science. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 23(8), 667-676.
10.
Whitely, P. , 1996, The `gender fairness' of integrated science textbooks used in Jamaican high schools. International Journal of Science Education, 18(8), 969-976.
11.
Kahle, J. B. , and Lakes, M. K., 1983, The myth of equality in science classrooms. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 20, 131-140.
12.
Mead, M. , and Metraux, R., 1957, Image of the scientist among high-school students. Science, 126, 384-390.
13.
Vockell, E. L. , and Lobonc, S., 1981, Sex-role stereotyping by high school females in science. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 18, 209-219.
14.
Wareing, C. , 1990, A survey of antecedents of attitudes toward science. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 27(4), 371-386.
15.
Kahle, J. B. , and Lakes, M. K., 1983, The myth of equality in science classrooms. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 20, 131-140.
16.
Vockell, E. L. , and Lobonc, S., 1981, Sex-role stereotyping by high school females in science. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 18, 209-219.
17.
Baker, D. , and Leary, R., 1995, Letting girls speak out about science. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 32(1), 3-27.
18.
Eccles, J. S. , and Jacobs, J. E., 1986, Social forces shape math attitudes and performance. Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society, 11(2), 367-380.
19.
Campbell, J. R. , 1991, The roots of gender inequity in technical areas. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 28(3), 251-264.
20.
Steinke, J. , and Long, M., 1996; A lab of her own?: Portrayals of female characters on children's educational science programs. Science Communication, 18(2), 91-115.
21.
Clewell, B. C. , Anderson, B. T., and Thorpe, M. E., 1992, The prevalence and nature of mathematics, science, and computer science intervention programs serving minority and female students in grades four through eight. School Reform, 25(2-4), 209-215.
22.
Kremer, B. K. , 1984, The meta-analysis of gender differences in science learning: a first step toward the development of educational policy to encourage women in science. Advances in Motivation and Achievement, Volume 2 (Greenwich, CT: JAI), pp. 51-71.
23.
Wee, E. L. , 1995, A lesson in confidence: VA. middle school tries all-girl classes. Washington Post, 1 May, AO1.
24.
Balcom, S. , 1995, Labs aimed at encouraging females to love science. Vancouver Sun, 22 February, B-4.
25.
Gardner, M. , 1995, Lab coats aren't just for guys: changing girls' views of sci-tech. Christian Science Monitor, 29 June, p.13.
26.
Ross, E. , 1994, Great experiments by mail: kids and scientists collaborate. Christian Science Monitor, 15 June.
27.
Hillenmeyer, K. , 1995, Tours give girls wider view: math, science jobs put in spotlight. Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 May, BO3.
Hermelin, F. G. , 1995, Selling girls on science. Working Women, March.
30.
Discovering Women, 1995, Public Broadcasting Service.
31.
Bem, S. L. , 1983, Gender schema theory and its implications for child development: raising gender-aschematic children in a gender-schematic society. Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society, 8(4), 598-616.
32.
Bem, S.L , 1983, Gender schema theory and its implications for child development: raising aschematic children in a gender-schematic society. Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society, 8(4), 598-616.
33.
Bem, S. L. , 1993, The Lenses of Gender: Transforming the Debate on Sexual Inequality (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press).
34.
Liben, L. S. , and Signorella, M. L., 1993, Gender-schematic processing in children: the role of initial interpretations of stimuli. Developmental Psychology, 29(1), 141-149.
35.
Bem, S. L. , 1993, The Lenses of Gender: Transforming the Debate on Sexual Inequality (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press).
36.
Bem, S. L. , 1983, Gender schema theory and its implications for child development: raising gender-aschematic children in a gender-schematic society. Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society, 8(4), 598-616, 608.
37.
Bem, S. L. , 1981, Gender schema theory: a cognitive account of sex typing. Psychological Review, 88(4), 354-364.
38.
Signorella, M. L. , 1992, Remembering gender-related information. Sex Roles27(3/4), 143-156.
39.
Ruble, D. F. , and Stangor, C., 1996, Stalking the elusive schema: insights from developmental and social psychological analyses of gender schemas. Social Cognition, 4, 227-261.
40.
Levy, G. D. , 1995, Recall of related and unrelated gender-typed item pairs by young children. Sex Roles, 32(5/6), 393-406.
41.
Calvert, S. L. , and Huston, A. C., 1987, Television and children's gender schemata. Children's Gender Schema, edited by L. S. Liben and M. L. Signorella (San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass).
42.
Thompson, S. K. , 1975, Gender labels and early sex role development. Child Development, 46, 339-347.
43.
Bigler, R. S. , and Liben, L. S., 1990, The role of attitudes and interventions in gender-schematic processing. Child Development, 61, 1440-1452.
44.
O'Bryant, S. L. , and Corder-Bolz, C. R., 1978, The effects of television on children's stereotyping of women's work roles. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 12, 233-244.
45.
Griffin, R. J. , Shaikat, S., and Plotkin, R., 1994, Sex, schemata, and social status: TV character identification and occupational aspirations among adolescents. Differences That Make a Differences: Examining the Assumptions in Gender Research, edited by L. H. Turner and H. M. Sterk (Westport, CT: Bergin Garvey).
46.
LaFollette, M. C. , 1988, Eyes on the stars: images of women scientists in popular magazines. Science, Technology, & Human Values, 13, 262.
47.
LaFollette, M. C. , 1990, Making Science Our Own: Public Images of Science 1910-1955 (University of Chicago Press).
48.
Nelkin, D. , 1987, Selling Science: How the Press Covers Science and Technology (New York: WH Freeman).
49.
LaFollette, M. C. , 1981, Wizards, villains, and other scientists: the science content of television for children. Report presented to Action for Children's Television.
50.
Steinke, J. , and Long, M., 1996, A lab of her own?: Portrayals of female characters on children's educational science programs. Science Communication, 18(2), 91-115.
51.
LaFollette, M. C. , 1988, Eyes on the stars: images of women scientists in popular magazines. Science, Technology, & Human Values, 13, 266.
52.
LaFollette, M. C. , 1988, Eyes on the stars: images of women scientists in popular magazines. Science, Technology, & Human Values, 13, 271.
53.
Nelkin, D. , 1987, Selling Science: How the Press Covers Science and Technology (New York: WH Freeman), p. 20.
54.
LaFollette, M. C. , 1988, Eyes on the stars: images of women scientists in popular magazines. Science, Technology, and Human Values, 13, 269.
55.
LaFollette, M. C. , 1981, Wizards, villains, and other scientists: the science content of television for children. Report presented to Action for Children's Television.
56.
Steinke, J. and Long, M., 1996, A lab of her own?: Portrayals of female characters on children's educational science programs. Science Communication, 18(2), 91-115.
57.
Nelkin, D. , 1987, Selling Science: How the Press Covers Science and Technology (New York: WH Freeman).
58.
Ruble, D. F. , and Stangor, C., 1986, Stalking the elusive schema: insights from developmental and social psychological analyses of gender schemas. Social Cognition, 4, 227-261.
59.
Griffin, R. J. , Shaikat, S., and Plotkin, R., 1994, Sex, schemata, and social status: TV character identification and occupational aspirations among adolescents. Differences That Make a Differences: Examining the Assumptions in Gender Research, edited by L. H. Turner and H. M. Sterk (Westport, CT: Bergin Garvey).
60.
Byrne, E. M. , 1993, Women and Science: The Snark Syndrome (Washington, DC: Falmer).
61.
DeFleur, M. L. , and DeFleur, L. B., 1967, The relative contribution of television as a learning source for children's occupational knowledge. American Sociological Review, 32(5), 777-789.
62.
Humphreys, S. M. , 1982, Effectiveness of science career conferences. Women and Minorities in Science: Strategies for Increasing Participation, edited by Sheila M. Humphreys (Boulder, CO: Westview), pp. 165-186.
63.
Oakes, J. , 1990, Lost Talent: The Underparticipation of Women, Minorities, and Disabled Persons in Science (Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation).
64.
Matyas, M. L. , 1985, Factors affecting female achievement and interest in science and in scientific careers. Women in Science: A Report from the Field, edited by Jane Butler Kahle (Philadelphia: Falmer), p. 43.
