PERC 2025 Abstract Detail Page
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| Abstract Title: | Investigation of Gender Performativity and Identity Development for Engineers |
|---|---|
| Abstract Type: | Contributed Poster Presentation |
| Abstract: | Prior work found differences between self-identified and reflected appraisals of masculinity for female students in physics classes. In this study, we investigated how these discrepancies impact students' development of an engineering identity. Students were asked to rate their self-identified and reflected appraisals (how they think others view them) of masculinity and femininity on a gradational scale and were asked questions about their engineering identities using validated metrics. We found that male students seem to be less influenced by their sense of gender compared to how they feel others perceive them, while female students are very attuned to how they perform their gender may influence others' perceptions of them. Specifically, females who feel less masculine than others perceive them feel less recognized as engineers despite engineering being an historically ``masculine'' pursuit. These findings suggest further quantitative studies could provide insight into how masculine norms impact female students' engineering identity development. |
| Session Time: | Poster Session C |
| Poster Number: | C-35 |
Author/Organizer Information | |
| Primary Contact: |
Eric Burkholder Auburn University Auburn, AL 36849 Phone: 8604061416 |
| Co-Author(s) and Co-Presenter(s) |
R. Smith Strain, Auburn University |
