The influence of gender stereotypes on behavior and identification among students in engineering group project teams

In this talk I will present research examining how gender stereotypes of men as engineering experts and women as supporters/organizers influence outcomes for male and female students on engineering group project teams. Using various methods (e.g., analysis of archival video footage, laboratory experiments, and coding of observed behaviors), these studies show that men engage in more technical aspects of engineering projects than women and speak longer than women during group project presentations, consistent with gender stereotypes favoring men in engineering. We also show that women who are targeted by gender stereotyping on their teams (as assessed by independent observers) report weaker identification with engineering than women who are not targeted. These studies indicate that gender stereotypes prevalent in our society can have significant influence on outcomes that may predict retention in engineering.

Dr. Denise Sekaquaptewa is Professor and Associate Chair of the Department of Psychology, University of Michigan. Her research program in experimental social psychology focuses on stereotyping, implicit bias, and the experiences of women and underrepresented minorities in science and engineering. Her research program has been supported by the National Science Foundation.

Dr. Sekaquaptewa served as associate editor for the APA journals Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, and Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology. She received the Harold R. Johnson Diversity Service Award (2015), and the Sarah Goddard Power Award (2012), from the University of Michigan for her work on diversity-related issues.