Is Stereotyping Contagious?

"Recent research indicates that the gap between male and female students' mathematics achievement is gradually beginning to diminish (Gutbezahl, 1995); however, female students are still underrepresented in advanced mathematics classes as well as in careers involving mathematics (Kerr,1994; Stage & Maple, 1996)" (Drzewiecki and Westberg 1). This should concern society including parents, teachers, and students.   Carmen Keller is one that has explored the topic of a male driven mathematical field.   The goal in her article, " Effect of Teachers' Stereotyping on Students' Stereotyping of Mathematics as a Male Domain" is to discover and prove one aspect to this male domain.   This being, students of teachers who tend to stereotype mathematics also tend to stereotype mathematics.

Throughout the entire article, Keller supports her thesis very well.   The data she uncovers and develops is reliable, because she considers and eliminates features that could possibly factor into her research. She controls external and internal influences such as: school grade, school track, previous achievement; and interest and self-confidence, respectively.   Great research data and analysis helps the reader feel supported and the logical information helps connect society and sciences.   The following information is a summary of the data and interpretations provided in Carmen Keller's article found in The Journal of Social Psychology.

Keller examines an internal influence that effects education, students' perception of mathematics as a male domain. With support of other research she provides, in short, the students' beliefs and their performance are correlated.   Meaning that when comparing graphs of student beliefs on gender success in mathematics and actual success, the graphs follow a similar pattern.   Through personal experience, I have found this to be true.   Students that have positive views about a particular subject tend to be more interested, thus... [continues]

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