KUKU

KU ScholarWorks

  • myKU
  • Email
  • Enroll & Pay
  • KU Directory
    • Login
    View Item 
    •   KU ScholarWorks
    • Dissertations and Theses
    • Dissertations
    • View Item
    •   KU ScholarWorks
    • Dissertations and Theses
    • Dissertations
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    EXPRESS YOURSELF OR SECURE YOUR FUTURE? CONSTRUCTIONS OF CHOICE AND GENDER GAPS IN STEM FIELDS

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    SoyluYalcinkaya_ku_0099D_15619_DATA_1.pdf (1.225Mb)
    Issue Date
    2017-12-31
    Author
    Soylu Yalcinkaya, Nur
    Publisher
    University of Kansas
    Format
    107 pages
    Type
    Dissertation
    Degree Level
    Ph.D.
    Discipline
    Psychology
    Rights
    Copyright held by the author.
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    In many developed societies, women have greater freedom than ever before to engage in academic and professional pursuits of their own choosing. However, gender gaps in representation in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields persist. In these settings, which commonly construct academic choice as a means of self-expression, men and women may diverge in their motivation to pursue STEM, because the personal preferences they express through academic choice would bear the imprint of gender stereotypes. In settings that construct academic choice as a means to reach material security, however, men and women alike may be likely to prefer lucrative fields, including STEM. Three studies examined the implications of self-expression and security goals for STEM interest and motivation across genders. Study 1 documented that experimental activation of self-expression goals steered women away from STEM, but led to greater STEM interest among men. However, activation of security goals only affected men’s STEM interest positively. Study 2 partially replicated this pattern for STEM and Business fields using a regulatory focus manipulation. In light of the findings, Study 3 examined whether security goals may be gendered in certain cultural settings, such that they play a larger role in men’s choices than women’s. Indeed, perceived lucrativeness of STEM played a positive role in STEM interest and motivation only among men, and particularly among those who did not find STEM enjoyable. The studies provide initial evidence for the role of constructions of academic choice—as a means of self-expression or material security—in academic interest and motivation, highlighting the sociocultural shaping of academic choices among both women and men.
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/1808/27007
    Collections
    • Psychology Dissertations and Theses [466]
    • Dissertations [4321]

    Items in KU ScholarWorks are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.


    We want to hear from you! Please share your stories about how Open Access to this item benefits YOU.


    Contact KU ScholarWorks
    785-864-8983
    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    785-864-8983

    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    Image Credits
     

     

    Browse

    All of KU ScholarWorksCommunities & CollectionsThis Collection

    My Account

    LoginRegister

    Statistics

    View Usage Statistics

    Contact KU ScholarWorks
    785-864-8983
    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    785-864-8983

    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    Image Credits
     

     

    The University of Kansas
      Contact KU ScholarWorks
    Lawrence, KS | Maps
     
    • Academics
    • Admission
    • Alumni
    • Athletics
    • Campuses
    • Giving
    • Jobs

    The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression and genetic information in the University’s programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director of the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access, IOA@ku.edu, 1246 W. Campus Road, Room 153A, Lawrence, KS, 66045, (785)864-6414, 711 TTY.

     Contact KU
    Lawrence, KS | Maps