Psychology Alumni and Professor to Publish Article on Documented Gender Stereotype in Psychology
(LEBANON, Ill., July 22, 2021) - Three McKendree University psychology alumni and
Dr. Guy A. Boysen, professor of psychology and lead researcher on the project, were
recently informed that their article titled “Evidence for a Gender Stereotype About
Psychology and its Effects on Perceptions of Men’s and Women’s Fit in the Field” was
accepted for publication. The article is forthcoming in the academic journal The Journal of Social Psychology, which publishes research on basic and applied social psychology, including behavior,
attitudes, interpersonal relationships and more.
The three 2020 graduates, Rebecca Chicosky, Faith Rose and Erin Delmore, assisted
with research and co-wrote the article with Dr. Boysen. The researchers surveyed over
1,500 participants across six studies, who demonstrated their association of psychology
as a major and a profession more closely with women and stereotypical feminine traits.
Although the feminine stereotype about psychologists isn’t as pronounced as it is
for nursing or elementary education, people do view psychologists as more feminine
than neuroscientists, physicians and college professors.
“A gender stereotype about psychology, or any field for that matter, is not inherently
bad. What is a problem, however, is when people start eliminating psychology as a
career option based on a stereotype,” said Dr. Boysen. He emphasized that psychology
can lead to successful careers in science, industry, teaching, mental health care
and many other areas.
Educators and scientists have long expressed concern that gender stereotypes drive
some people away from careers that fit their talents. More worrisome is the fact that
women have avoided or been excluded from stereotypically masculine careers in math
and science due to perceptions of poor fit. In this study, the McKendree researchers
documented that the feminine stereotype makes psychology appear to be a bad fit for
men and their career needs.
-McK-
