The impact of changing engineering perceptions on women’s attitudes and behavioral intentions towards engineering pursuits

Abstract

Abstract Background Women are underrepresented in the field of engineering within academic and professional settings. Based upon premises outlined by social role theory and goal congruity theory, a key factor that contributes to this underrepresentation is a gendered societal belief that there is a disconnect between engineering (seen as more agentic, or self-oriented) and women’s values and abilities (which are believed to be more communal, or other-oriented). While there is evidence that this perceived disconnect influences women’s pursuit of engineering, the extent to which an intervention could realistically counter these perceptions at key points along the engineering pathway has not been explored. Across two studies, we examine the impact of a communal-based intervention (in which we frame engineering majors and careers in more, though not exclusively, communally oriented ways) on women’s engineering-related attitudes and behavioral intentions at two points along the academic-employment pathway: women’s major selection and women’s job selection. Results Study 1 found that women with undeclared majors had more positive attitudes (confidence and interest) towards engineering majors when engineering major descriptions were framed as more communal versus more agentic. However, there was no impact on their behavioral intentions to pursue the major. Study 2 found that women with engineering majors were more confident in their ability to be successful in a job role and were more likely to apply when the job role was framed as more communal as compared to more agentic. However, they did not indicate greater interest in the job role. Conclusions Testing this intervention on relevant populations advances the literature by providing greater evidence for the potential of such an intervention to meaningfully address women’s underrepresentation at multiple points along the engineering pathway. Furthermore, this study provides evidence that a messaging-based intervention is impactful with a realistic representation of engineering as both an agentic and communally oriented field, which ensures that the retention of those attracted to the field is not negatively impacted by idealistic messaging. While addressing women’s pursuit of engineering is important, work must continue to seek ways to always improve women’s experience in engineering contexts as well.