An implicit gender sex-science association in the general population and STEM faculty

Abstract

We investigated implicit associations between social categories female or male and the attributes sex or science. In six experiments, Implicit Association Tests (IATs) showed female + sex/male + science associations. The bias was observed (a) in both men and women; (b) in participants who reported sexual attraction to both females and males (greater for the former); (c) in members of the general population as well as among STEM faculty from the highest ranked U.S. STEM universities; (d) even when both gender categories were clearly presented as scientists, via photos and words, (e) using both the standard IAT and a single category variation; and (f) hardly at all on explicit measures in contrast to implicit measures. By introducing the attribute of sexuality, these studies bring to light a robust if unintended mental association of women as sexual beings. The automaticity and surprising generality of the effect suggests that this association may be an unintentional yet potent barrier to women's lower representation and success in STEM.

Keywords: Gender bias in science; Implicit Association Test (IAT); implicit gender bias; implicit social cognition; sex/sexuality and science; women in STEM.