Monday, February 27, 2017

Literature Review #1





(1) Visual-


(3) Summary-The article suggests, and further gathers data in order to figure out if masculine and feminine personality types have to do with the gender discrepancy in STEM majors. The article presents a few reasons previously suggested for this. One of which is that STEM majors have a "chilly climate" that is not compatible with feminine characteristics such as altruism and communitarianism. The article further delves into the difference in masculine and feminine personality types and describes that by nature and nurture masculine personality traits are more compatible with STEM fields. The conclusion is that personality traits could be a reason for the discrepancy as men and woman are rewarded differently for their traits in these areas.

(4) Authors-Richard M. Simon, Ashley Wagner, and Brooke Killion are all part of the sociology department at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

(5)Key Terms- 
       Occupational values-  a persons standards in what their career or job must require, specifically in personality traits.
       STEM- science, technology, engineering, and math fields of study, or employment
       Masculinity-possession of the qualities traditionally associated with men.
       Femininity-the quality of being female; womanliness.

(6)Quotes- 
" Therefore, the argument continues, persons socialized to have feminine personality characteristics will face cultural barriers to STEM careers that persons socialized to be masculine will not."(299)
"Some researchers have argued that women opt out of science careers, in part, because the masculine culture of science is a "chilly climate" for women." (300)
"Woman are believed to less likely to choose a career in STEM because such careers are less compatible with altruistic and communitarian values associated with feminine personalities."(300)

(7) Value- This article is of valuable because it explains a possible reasons for the gender gap in college majors. Many other sources say that the discrepancy is due to the nature of how men and woman are treated or difference in test scores but this is a unique approach that could give a reason for this problem.

1 comment:

  1. This looks really useful and very current. I think "chilly climate" sounds like an interesting term, too. This is a very important topic.

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