Science, Technology, Engineering and… Masculinity? How psychological theory can help understand and improve the gender gap within STEM subjects
The under-representation of females in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is a key educational issue which warrants discussion. This paper explores the gender gap in STEM education from a psychological perspective, drawing on Social Learning Theory and Social Identity Theory to...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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The International Education Studies Association
2020-11-01
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| Series: | Educational Futures |
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| Online Access: | https://educationstudies.org.uk/?p=12112 |
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| _version_ | 1850110485235499008 |
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| author | Misha Vickers |
| author_facet | Misha Vickers |
| author_sort | Misha Vickers |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The under-representation of females in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is a key educational issue which warrants discussion. This paper explores the gender gap in STEM education from a psychological perspective, drawing on Social Learning Theory and Social Identity Theory to explain the phenomenon. This paper highlights that same-sex STEM role models are an important source of learning which are missing from many females’ early experiences. However, it is concluded that the in-group male prototype and unwelcoming social environments found in STEM education, threaten females’ social identity and significantly impact on persistence in STEM education. In evaluating interventions to encourage female participation in STEM education, it is recommended that future intervention targets both male and female students and focuses on mixed-gender environments to reflect the reality of studying STEM subjects. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6abc4f29bb424f2fa2b670424b2c7b12 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1758-2199 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2020-11-01 |
| publisher | The International Education Studies Association |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Educational Futures |
| spelling | doaj-art-6abc4f29bb424f2fa2b670424b2c7b122025-08-20T02:37:49ZengThe International Education Studies AssociationEducational Futures1758-21992020-11-01111314Science, Technology, Engineering and… Masculinity? How psychological theory can help understand and improve the gender gap within STEM subjectsMisha Vickers0Manchester Metropolitan UniversityThe under-representation of females in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is a key educational issue which warrants discussion. This paper explores the gender gap in STEM education from a psychological perspective, drawing on Social Learning Theory and Social Identity Theory to explain the phenomenon. This paper highlights that same-sex STEM role models are an important source of learning which are missing from many females’ early experiences. However, it is concluded that the in-group male prototype and unwelcoming social environments found in STEM education, threaten females’ social identity and significantly impact on persistence in STEM education. In evaluating interventions to encourage female participation in STEM education, it is recommended that future intervention targets both male and female students and focuses on mixed-gender environments to reflect the reality of studying STEM subjects.https://educationstudies.org.uk/?p=12112educationfemalegenderinterventionsocial identity theorysocial learning theorystem |
| spellingShingle | Misha Vickers Science, Technology, Engineering and… Masculinity? How psychological theory can help understand and improve the gender gap within STEM subjects Educational Futures education female gender intervention social identity theory social learning theory stem |
| title | Science, Technology, Engineering and… Masculinity? How psychological theory can help understand and improve the gender gap within STEM subjects |
| title_full | Science, Technology, Engineering and… Masculinity? How psychological theory can help understand and improve the gender gap within STEM subjects |
| title_fullStr | Science, Technology, Engineering and… Masculinity? How psychological theory can help understand and improve the gender gap within STEM subjects |
| title_full_unstemmed | Science, Technology, Engineering and… Masculinity? How psychological theory can help understand and improve the gender gap within STEM subjects |
| title_short | Science, Technology, Engineering and… Masculinity? How psychological theory can help understand and improve the gender gap within STEM subjects |
| title_sort | science technology engineering and masculinity how psychological theory can help understand and improve the gender gap within stem subjects |
| topic | education female gender intervention social identity theory social learning theory stem |
| url | https://educationstudies.org.uk/?p=12112 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mishavickers sciencetechnologyengineeringandmasculinityhowpsychologicaltheorycanhelpunderstandandimprovethegendergapwithinstemsubjects |