The purpose of this thesis was to explore further reasons for the underrepresentation of women in STEM careers, by determining whether there were differences in perception of STEM careers based on gender double standards and motivational environment. Participants were asked to read one of four narratives featuring a graduate student in a STEM field. Each narrative differed across two manipulated variables: the gender of the main character, and whether it was an individualist or collaborative motivational environment. After reading the narrative, participants evaluated the character’s traits using masculine and feminine characteristics (Bem, 1974), as well as their perceived likability and ability in their career. We also asked participants a series of other measures that included their personal interest and opinions in STEM careers. Results included a main effect of character gender on perceived femininity and likability, and of motivational environment on perceived masculinity. Results also suggested that men were perceived to be more typical in an individualistic environment, while women were perceived as more typical in a collaborative environment and a similar trend emerged for perceptions of success. These findings, which confirm the influence of gender and also further evidence of the effect of motivational environment, provide several implications for differences in perception of STEM careers, and women’s interest in pursuing them.Bachelor of Scienc
