Stereotypes of Academic Minorities

Abstract

Samples of 68 Home Economics majors and 92 women Physical Education majors were considered as having minority status within the academic community. Adjectives from a 100-adjective list were checked by each sample if they were believed to be characteristic of women in their field. A sample of 268 non-Home Economics, non-Physical Education majors also indicated the adjectives they believed characteristic of women in the two target fields. Distinctive sets of beliefs are held by and about each target and many are highly consensual. The two groups characterize themselves more similarly than does the general sample which seems to view the Physical Education group more ambiguously, less favorably, and in active, assertive terms. Home Economics majors are stereotyped in passive, emotional terms.