CAREER: Transforming the Image of Computing to Increase Female Participation

这个项目探讨了妇女在计算机科学(CS)领域代表性不足的原因。调查将包括一系列实验研究。有许多理论可以解释CS中的性别不平等。这项研究的主要假设是，影响女性在野外看到自己的能力的不是遗传倾向或不愿熬夜的遗传倾向，而是CS的刻板印象。这项研究将考察社会因素在CS中的性别差异。将进行一系列受控行为研究，其中与计算机科学家形象相关的两个正交维度被独立处理：性别和刻板印象(即与群体广泛相关的一组刻板印象，如对视频游戏的亲和力和社交笨拙)。这些将在三个领域进行，通过这些领域传播关于CS的刻板印象：媒体、课堂环境和同伴互动。这项研究的发现将对寻求增加其多样性的STEM领域产生影响。将测试三个年龄段(大学生、高中生和中学生)刻板印象的影响。这项研究将导致开发一个虚拟心理实验室，它可以在项目持续时间之后很长时间内用于研究陈规定型观念。这项研究的一个主要目标是向学校、大学和公众广泛传播研究结果，以便建立更积极的教育环境，以培养妇女进入STEM领域的兴趣和愿望。

This project explores the reasons for under representation of women in the field of computer science (CS). The investigation will include a series of experimental studies. There are numerous theories that explain the gender inequality in CS. The main hypothesis of the study is that it is not the genetic predisposition or an unwillingness to put in late hours but the stereotypical image of CS that impinges upon women's ability to see themselves in the field. The research will examine the gender difference in CS as a function of social factors. A series of controlled behavioral studies will be conducted in which two orthogonal dimensions related to the image of computer scientists are independently manipulated: gender and stereotypicality (i.e., the set of stereotypes widely associated with the group, such as affinity for video games and social awkwardness). These will be conducted across three domains through which stereotypes of CS are communicated: the media, classroom environments, and peer interactions. The study's findings will have impacts on STEM fields which are looking to increase their diversity. The impact of stereotypes across three age groups (college, high school, and middle schools students) will be tested. The study will lead to the development of a virtual psychology laboratory that can be used well beyond the project duration to study stereotypes. One primary goal of this study is to disseminate findings broadly to schools, universities and the general public so more positive educational environments can be developed to nuture the interest and aspirations of women to enter the STEM fields.