Computer Science Stereotypes

[Abby27]

Hey guys! So I am conducting an honors thesis for my senior year of college in psychology. We are researching why women (white and minority) don't go into STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) fields as much as men do, specifically computer science and engineering (CS&E). Our hypothesis is that women hold a stronger and more rigid stereotype as to what kind of people pursue CS&E fields compared to men. Essentially in general, people want to feel like they fit in and never want to say something or express a belief that they think will get them ostracized from the rest of a group. And this plays into pluralistic ignorance (when you think something you assume everyone else would disagree with when in actuality everyone really thinks what you are thinking but no one ever says anything). So because the stereotype of a CS&E individual is a white, male, socially inept, and obsessive, more guys think they fit this description than women. Therefore, less women pursue CS&E fields thinking that because they don't fit the stereotype of a CS&E person, they shouldn't pursue it because they wouldn't fit in. When in actuality, a lot of women who are socially adequate and non obsessed with computers secretly desire a career in CS&E, but again, out of pluralistic ignorance and fear of not fitting in, they tell themselves that they don't fit the profile of a CS&E person so they don't pursue it and their stereotypical view of who pursues CS&C is reinforced more than a man's.

What i find interesting is that the second anyone says "computer science," I instantly think of Jenny Calendar. I just love her character so much and since I got into the show growing up, she was one of the first media exposures I had to base what a computer science teacher was. So now the characteristics I associate with CS&E are white, woman, strong, sassy, independent. So the idea that every CS&E person is this socially inept dude is just funny to me! So I guess I wanted to see what you guys think about the study, and if anything in Buffy has influenced you this way. And if anyone thinks about Willow and Jenny when people talk of computer science as opposed to the North American stereotype.

 

[caritas08]

I never really thought about stereotypes when I neglected to choose computers/engineering for my major. I simply had next to no background knowledge of what careers in those fields would be like and didn't really know anyone who worked in those fields. I was eager to get my major and get in the workforce and didn't really want to try anything new. I majored in Spanish/bilingual education because I had the most background knowledge and interest in it at the time.

I love teaching bilingual education but if I had to change fields I would be more open to exploring the science/engineering world than I was at 18. I would prefer something where I was in contact with a lot of people though so I might not choose it for that reason. Kinda depends on the money 😉

I don't really know anyone who openly believes in those stereotypes but I know many people who are unnecessarily afraid of math, computers and science. I like those fields but I think because many people struggle with them in middle and high school that people are afraid they "couldn't cut it" for a career.

 

[prophecygrrl]

My brother's a comp sci major! He's Asian, socially "normal" (whatever "normal" means, lol), and very smart. As far as comp sci stereotypes go, I usually think of white/Asian, straight, nerdy men. I do know some girls who are planning on majoring in engineering and computer science, and a lot of them have told me that sometimes they feel uncomfortable in those fields. Like they constantly have to be the best or be discounted as 'just a girl'. That's probably another reason why there are fewer women in those fields. I remember walking into the AP Physics class at my high school a few months ago and only seeing about four girls in there...out of a class of 30 students.

I love Jenny Calendar too! I wish we had seen more of her. I honestly think that killing her off was a poor decision on Joss's part. There's a number of women tech nerds/engineers/scientists in Joss's works, and I'm all for that. I just wish more of them were like Jenny Calendar. Kaylee, Fred, Willow, etc. all seem very, very similar to me. Kinda a cute pixie nerd girl that all the boys fall in love with. Willow to a lesser extent though obviously 😛, especially when she seems to get more into magic than technology.

---------- Post added at 11:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:35 PM ----------

eta: I totally forgot to include Maggie Walsh! I would've loved to see more of her too. I think she could've been a miles more interesting villain than Adam.

 

[LizzieRainbow]

I am studying computing at University. I do not fit into the sterotype very well though lol. I can be geeky but i dress all girly so when people look at me they don't think of me doing computing.
There are about 60 people altogether in my year of the course and about 6 of them are girls. When i went in on my first day i wondered why there were barely any girls until the lecturer said we have more girls on the course than any other year! I do not really know why there are not many girls on my course but numbers of girls on computing courses seem to be gradually increasing.

Whenever anyone mentions computer science i will admit i think of Maggie Walsh over Jenny. Jenny was more just a general computer teacher but Maggie knew a lot fo things about the sciences, computing and much more.

 

[BuffyElevated]

I am studying graphic design. I'm caucasian, female, and I hate math and science, yet love computers and studying web design. I don't know how that helps with your study, but nothing on Buffy helped with my decision. 🙂

 

[Abby27]

[MENTION=10521]prophecygrrl[/MENTION] Exactly! Some girls who might have an interest in CS decide not to do it because they don't fit the generally accepted stereotype and are afraid they won't fit in, and as a result, actually start to think they wouldn't do well anyway. So then the idea that girls don't do CS&E gets locked into their heads and if a girl does major in it and isn't the best, she is discredited because she is a girl.

What we are trying to research is that a lot of women feel that way, but they all keep silent because they don't want to be one of those 4 girls who go into the physics AP class with 26 other boys. When in actuality, if every girl who really felt like they were alone in desiring to do more science stuff actually did it, half that class would be girls.

 

[Kanazaka]

When I took my Intro to Multimedia Objects course last year, I noticed that many of the girls struggled with it (moreso than the guys). However, I will admit that although I fit the stereotype that you present (white, male, socially inept and a bit obsessive about things), I am not very proficient with computer programming. So, there's that possibility.