| Description |
The goal of this research was to investigate the effects of selective changes in feminine identity (identity bifurcation) on self-concept, cognitive functioning, and math performance of women. Study 1 showed that women highly identified with math had a tendency not to identify with stereotypically feminine characteristics that are deemed incompatible with being successful in quantitative domains (e.g., being emotional, flirtatious). At the same time, these women identified with feminine characteristics that are perceived as not incompatible with women's success in quantitative domains (e.g., being intuitive, empathic, or fashionable). In Study 2 female participants were exposed to stereotype threat and given an opportunity to use identity bifurcation as an ego-protective strategy. Subsequently, participants' self-esteem, working memory capacity, math performance, and self-integrity were measured. As predicted, stereotype threat negatively affected women's math performance. However, the link between stereotype threat and math performance found in the current study was not a direct causal path, but it occurred through self-integrity and working memory acting as serial mediators. Women who were exposed to stereotype threat reported lower feelings of self-integrity, which, in turn negatively impacted their working memory capacity and undermined their math performance. Study 2 results also demonstrated that women responded to stereotype threat with bifurcation in their feminine identity. However, this change in identity did not have an effect on working memory and math performance through positively affecting self-concept. Theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed. |
