| Author(s) | Andrea C. Vial, Melis Muradoglu, George E. Newman, Andrei Cimpian |
| Journal | Psychological Science |
| Abstract | Women are underrepresented in fields in which success is believed to require brilliance, but the reasons for this pattern are poorly understood. We investigated perceptions of a “masculinity-contest culture,” an organizational environment of ruthless competition, as a key mechanism whereby a perceived emphasis on brilliance discourages female participation. Across three preregistered correlational and experimental studies involving adult lay participants online (N = 870) and academics from more than 30 disciplines (N = 1,347), we found a positive association between the perception that a field or an organization values brilliance and the perception that this field or organization is characterized by a masculinity-contest culture. This association was particularly strong among women. In turn, perceiving a masculinity-contest culture predicted lower interest and sense of belonging as well as stronger impostor feelings. Experimentally reducing the perception of a masculinity-contest culture eliminated gender gaps in interest and belonging in a brilliance-oriented organization, suggesting possible avenues for intervention. |
| Keywords | brilliance, impostor feelings, gender stereotypes, masculinity-contest culture, sense of belonging, open data, open materials, preregistered |
| Date Published | March 23, 2022 |
| Volume | 33 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 595-612 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1177/09567976211044133 |
| Google Scholar Link | https://scholar.google.com/scholar?cluster=4634354554072484954&hl=en&as_sdt=0,5 |
| Open Access? | No |
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