1. BRIEF TITLE OF THE POSTER: Subtitle of the Poster
Student Name & Faculty Name
ABSTRACT
Women participants given a stigmatized (i.e., heavy) or neutral appearance (via a manipulated photograph) then tested as either the only woman in their testing group (solo status) or with other women (non-solo status). Women performed more poorly when given a stigmatized appearance and placed in solo status. Social identity threat concerns mediated the solo status effect on performance for women given a stigmatized appearance.
METHOD
Women (N = 111) placed in gender solo status or non-solo status using a photo grid (below).
Appearance manipulated via altered digital photograph said to be seen by one’s group members.
Interact with group via computer system.
Report social identity threat concerns.
Take computerized test believing others can see one’s performance.
RESULTS
Performance Scores:
Solo status X appearance condition interaction, F(1, 102) = 7.92, p < The performance of women who experienced solo status and a stigmatized appearance was lower compared to when only one of these factors was present.
Mediation Analysis:
Social identity threat concerns mediated the effect of solo status on performance for women given a stigmatized appearance (N = 50). The mediated effect was significant, z(49) = -2.02, p < .05.
DISCUSSION
This experiment showed that solo women’s performance is impaired when they believe their projected body image may be negatively evaluated by their male group members. Social Identity threat concerns mediated the effect of solo status on performance for women given a stimatized (i.e., heavy) appearance. Female solos given the stigmatized appearance were more concerned than non-solos that their group members would view their performance through a gendered lens. These concerns undermined women’s test performance, suggesting that the activation of social identity threat is one mechanism through which solo status debilitates the performance of women who are concerned about their appearance.
INTRODUCTION
The performance of women is debilitated when they experience solo status (i.e., are the only women in the testing situation).
Women who experience self-objectification also show test performance deficits.
H1: Because the male gaze is thought to elicit self-objectification, women’s performance may be derailed by body image concerns when performing before a male audience.
Solo women who believe they project a stigmatized body appearance may experience social identity threat concerns, i.e., concern that a poor performance will provide confirmation of a stereotype. which in turn may debilitate test performance.
H2: Social identity threat concern was tested as a mediating variable.
CONCLUSION
These findings may aid our understanding of women’s under-representation in certain fields, such as engineering, math, and science. Women entering these fields are not only likely to experience gender solo status but also to face negative stereotypes about women’s ability in these areas. Because women often perceive being judged in terms of their appearance as well as ability, conditions are ripe for women in non-traditional fields to experience concerns about their body image in combination with solo status. Our research suggests that under these circumstances women become concerned about being evaluated as a woman, not as an individual, inducing social identity threat and causing them to perform below their potential.
Normal Image
“Heavy” Appearance (widened 20%)
-.13, p = .43
-.35, p < .02
Participant’s normal or “heavy” image put in photo array showing the “other group members” (actually confederates) either all male (as shown here) or all female
Performance
Solo Status
.60, p < .01
-.36, p < .05
Social
Identity Threat
Concerns
(in press, JESP. Beta for mediated path shown in italics.)