Quantifying and Reducing Stereotypes in Word Embeddings

Machine learning algorithms are optimized to model statistical properties of the training data. If the input data reflects stereotypes and biases of the broader society, then the output of the learning algorithm also captures these stereotypes. In this paper, we initiate the study of gender stereotypes in {\em word embedding}, a popular framework to represent text data. As their use becomes increasingly common, applications can inadvertently amplify unwanted stereotypes. We show across multiple datasets that the embeddings contain significant gender stereotypes, especially with regard to professions. We created a novel gender analogy task and combined it with crowdsourcing to systematically quantify the gender bias in a given embedding. We developed an efficient algorithm that reduces gender stereotype using just a handful of training examples while preserving the useful geometric properties of the embedding. We evaluated our algorithm on several metrics. While we focus on male/female stereotypes, our framework may be applicable to other types of embedding biases.Comment: presented at 2016 ICML Workshop on #Data4Good: Machine Learning in Social Good Applications, New York, N

Facial Discrimination: Darlene Jespersen’s Fight Against the Barbie-fication of Bartenders

Lambda Legal took up Darlene Jespersen\u27s case because restrictive, genderbased rules about personal appearance and deportment can pose particular burdens for anyone whose gender identity or expression varies from conventional stereotypes; lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender ( LGBT ) people are disproportionately burdened by such rules.7 Many LGBT people cannot readily conform to conventional gender stereotypes. 8 For others, simply the process of coming out as LGBT or queer gives rise to a deep critique of the artificially restrictive gender stereotypes that pervade our modern lives and shape corporate marketing campaigns

HBO Series Girls and Insecure’s Depiction of Race and Gender

In this research study the identification and representation of race and gender were looked at in the primetime HBO television series Insecure and Girls. The characters that were analyzed in two episodes were the young black women of Insecure and in two episodes the young white women in Girls. The method for this study was conducted using content analysis to identify the following variables focusing on identity, racial stereotypes and names used to address one another. Additionally, variables to identify gender included emotional approaches to situations, stereotypes and gender role expectations. The comprehensive findings revealed through similarities and differences of the episodes containing similar plot lines, as well as the overall analysis of each show, gave insight on how race and gender is being presented. Consistently throughout each of the episodes in terms of gender representation, emotional approaches to situations was the variable with a fair amount of content found. Although anticipated prior to conducting research, gender role expectations were shown less often by the women in each series. Race identity was another variable chosen that also resulted as being less frequently identifiable. In terms of race and gender stereotypes that were looked at, gender stereotypes were more prominent within each of the episodes. The variable used to identify race in each episode, names used to address one another, were mentioned more throughout the episodes of Insecure than in Girls

Why Can’t a Woman Fail Like a Man? Gender Differences in Perceived Competence Following a Mistake

Stereotypes are pervasive and can significantly influence the way we perceive and evaluate others. When people occupy roles that are not congruent with stereotypes (such as a stay-at-home dad or a female CEO), past research has suggested that they are evaluated more harshly than those in roles that are stereotype-congruent. The present study examined the role of gender stereotypes by asking participants to read a vignette about a college student and their performance in a class. In these vignettes, the student’s major and gender were manipulated such that there were students in gender stereotype-congruent majors (female nursing major, male computer science major) and students in stereotype-incongruent majors (female computer science major, male nursing major). Participants were then asked to evaluate the student’s performance, providing rating of competence, status, and likeability. Analyses revealed that there was no significant effect of stereotype-congruence on evaluations, a finding inconsistent with prior work. This discrepancy is discussed in light of differences in participants’ familiarity with the role and job of the person being evaluated

Gender stereotypes about steam careers in education

Treball Final de Grau en Psicologia. Codi: PS1048. Curs: 2018/2019.The number of girls choosing careers related to science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) is still very low. One of the explanations focuses on the differentiated choice of professions according to gender due to the importance of the congruence search between the roles that society demands to each sex. The aim of this study is to examine if the gender stereotypes related to STEAM careers continue being reproduced by students and teachers. To this end, we carried out a qualitative study at the IES Ribalta in Castellón de la Plana with 12 female students (50% female) from 14 to 16 years old, and with 6 teachers (50% male). With the students, we hold a group workshop, showing an enigma about the sex of a person introduced as a medical eminence. With the teachers, we conducted semi-structured interviews in which they have been asked if they think if there are innate capacities in the function of gender in the people who are dedicated to STEAM careers. 50% of the students did not solve the enigma, because: masculinization /feminization of the professions (medical eminence, men; nurse, woman), the invisibility of women scientists in textbooks and the media, visualization of STEAM women achievements such as something "unusual". Teachers' responses were in three lines: Yes, there are innate differences in the function of gender and female gender is the most favored; no, there are no innate differences in the function of gender, and; Yes, there are differences and its benefits the male gender. In conclusion, these results confirm the variety of stereotyped beliefs in the educational settings, which are consistent with the low percentages of women in the STEAM careers currently. They also show the evident intention to dismantle them by the participants.El número de chicas que eligen carreras vinculadas a ciencias, tecnologías, ingenierías, artes y matemáticas (STEAM) sigue siendo muy bajo. Una de las explicaciones se centra en la elección diferenciada de profesiones en función del género debido a la importancia que tiene la búsqueda de congruencia entre los roles que la sociedad demanda a cada sexo. El objetivo del presente estudio es examinar si los estereotipos de género relacionados con las carreras STEAM se siguen reproduciendo en alumnado y profesorado. Para ello se ha llevado a cabo un estudio cualitativo en el IES Ribalta de Castellón de la Plana con 12 alumnas/os (50% mujeres) de 14 a 16 años, y con 6 profesores/as (50% hombres). Con el alumnado, se realizó un taller grupal donde debían resolver un acertijo sobre el género de una persona presentada como eminencia médica. Con el profesorado, se realizaron entrevistas semi-estructuradas en las cuales se preguntó si existían capacidades innatas en función del sexo en las personas que se dedican a carreras STEAM. El 50% del alumnado no resolvió el enigma por: masculinización/feminización de profesiones (eminencia médica hombre, enfermera mujer), invisibilidad de las mujeres científicas en libros de texto y medios de comunicación, visibilización de logros de mujeres STEAM como algo “inusual”. Los resultados del profesorado fueron en tres líneas distintas: Si que existen diferencias innatas en las personas de carreras STEAM siendo el género femenino más favorecido; no existen diferencias innatas en función del género y, si existen, benefician al género masculino. En conclusión, mediante estos resultados se confirma la variedad de creencias estereotipadas en el ámbito educativo, son consistentes con los bajos porcentajes de mujeres en carreras STEAM en la actualidad. También se pone de manifiesto por parte de las/los participantes la intención de desmantelarlas

Audience Responses to Gender Stereotypes in Advertising

Advertising has demonstrated linguistic, contextual, and sexual gender stereotypes since its inception; it seems poised to continue doing so as advertising’s presence in society proliferates. Upon analyzing these stereotypes, examples can be found throughout media, especially in television. All this begs the question: Are these stereotypes actually effective at selling products or services to their intended audience? Do men react positively to stereotypes of men or women; and vice versa, how do women react? If gender stereotypes are employed in advertising purely through force of habit and not evidenced prudence, then the advertising landscape stands to gain immensely from taking a more progressive view; otherwise, stereotypical advertising is defensible if only from a financial perspective

Do Nice Guys -- And Gals -- Really Finish Last? The Joint Effects of Sex and Agreeableness on Income

Key Findings • The pay gap between agreeable and disagreeable males is significantly larger than the gap between agreeable and disagreeable females. That is, there is a“benefit” of being (moderately) disagreeable as a male, but this “benefit” is minimal for females. • Employees are subject to gender stereotypes in the workplace. Males are expected to exhibit masculine qualities, including disagreeableness. Females are expected to exhibit feminine qualities, including agreeableness. When one gender defies such stereotypes, the employee can be perceived as deviant. • Males who are agreeable are disadvantaged (vs. disagreeable males) for two reasons: first, agreeableness is negatively correlated with income; secondly, they defy the male stereotype of being assertive and disagreeable

Gender stereotypes as a kind of social stereotypes

Были рассмотрены основные социологические подходы к изучению гендера: биологический, символический и социальный. Рассмотрены гендерные стереотипы как вид социальных стереотипов, их виды и функции. На основании этого показано существующее современное положение вещей между представителями мужского и женского гендеров, предписываемые им роли, качества и виды деятельности. Проанализирована роль гендерных стереотипов в современном обществе, важность их изучения и преобразования.Basic sociological approaches to the study of gender were considered: biological, social and symbolic. We consider gender stereotypes as a form of social stereotypes, their types and functions. On this basis, it shows the existing state of the art between the male and female genders, roles prescribed to them, and the quality of activities. The role of gender stereotypes in modern society, the importance of learning and transformation