scholarly journals “Master” of None: Institutional Language Change Linked to Reduced Gender Bias

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
April Bailey ◽  
John F. Dovidio ◽  
Marianne LaFrance
Keyword(s):  
Gender Bias ◽  
Language Change ◽  
Recognition Task ◽  
Leadership Role ◽  
Yale University ◽  
Language Understanding ◽  
Gender Inequity ◽  
Inclusive Language ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Generic Language

Concern that masculine generic language (e.g., man to mean humanity) perpetuates gender inequity has led several institutions to formally discourage its use. While previous experimental research indicates that generic terms like man bring more exemplars of men than women to mind, only recently have researchers begun exploring additional consequences of gendered language. Understanding the range of processes affected is of particular importance when evaluating real-world policies. Yale University recently changed the title of a leadership role from master to head. The present study (N=341) investigated what exemplars come to mind (i.e., cognitive accessibility) while also probing memory for women and men in the leadership role both before and after Yale’s language policy change. Students exposed to master generated a male exemplar more than would be expected by the incidence of men and recognized actual men than women in the role more accurately (d’) in a face recognition task. Among students exposed to head, both biases were eliminated. The previous literature shows that masculine generic language brings men to mind. The present work demonstrates a similar effect but in an applied context while further documenting consequences for memory. Gender-inclusive language polices have potential to reduce gender biased thinking with applied significance.

scholarly journals Failure in welfare partnerships – A gender hypothesis: Reflections on a serendipity pattern in Local Safeguarding Children Boards

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adina I Dudau ◽  
Laura McAllister
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Gender Bias ◽  
Cultural Barriers ◽  
Gender Inequity ◽  
Critical Variable ◽  
Power Differentials ◽  
Policy Measures ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Mind Set

This article examines the roles that occupational segregation and gender bias in the welfare professions play in persistent failures in inter-agency and inter-professional collaborations. Drawing on case study evidence from a Local Safeguarding Children Board in England, a ‘serendipity pattern’ of gender dominance is identified within professions affecting inter-professional collaborations such as those prevalent in Local Safeguarding Children Boards. As we assign this pattern ‘strategic interpretation’, we suggest that policy measures taken to augment the effectiveness of welfare partnerships have, so far, paid insufficient attention to the critical variable of gender, due to over-emphasis on the organisations, rather than the professions, involved. The article’s contribution to practice is unravelling the potential of this oversight to contribute to failure to establish a collaborative mind-set. Our contribution to theory is highlighting specific cultural barriers to inter-professional collaborations, unravelling the power differentials rooted in gender inequity in public sector workforces and challenging professional and organizational traditionalism. In doing so, we offer empirical evidence of the ‘gender hypothesis’ in welfare partnerships and indicate how future investigations might be pursued in this area.

Gender and leadership stereotypes theory: is it reaching the boundaries?

2018 ◽  
Vol 41 (11) ◽  
pp. 1336-1355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anselmo Ferreira Vasconcelos
Keyword(s):  
Gender Bias ◽  
Leadership Style ◽  
Leadership Role ◽  
Leadership Roles ◽  
Gender And Leadership ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Gender Traits ◽  
Efficiency And Productivity ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Traditional Understanding

PurposeThis paper aims to answer whether the notion of the gender and leadership stereotypes theory has already reached its boundaries.Design/methodology/approachTo accomplish such a goal, it relies on the extant literature looking for more robust findings, problems, disruptions and pathways toward building a better understanding of this problematic.FindingsThe evidence gleaned throughout this paper suggests that the interplay between gender and leadership stereotypes theory has reached its boundaries. Moreover, the traditional sex stereotype or gender traits approach within companies seems to be highly limited taking into account that it tends to nurture rivalry and prejudice among people of different genders. Rather than focusing on leader sex approach or egalitarian quotas, in terms of leadership role and despite the fair argument of diversity, the author proposes that it is wiser to concentrate on a meritocratic view.Practical implicationsIt suggests that an androgyny leadership style appears to be welcomed in organizations, yet some shift about this understanding may be occurring. At present, however, female aspirants of leadership roles should work increasingly toward adapting themselves to this profile. In doing so, it is likely that they may be benefited from organizational evaluations in which the merit issue constitutes an imperative.Originality/valueOverall, it is expected to contribute to theory by arguing that the traditional understanding of gender and leadership stereotypes theory is not suitable anymore to deal with the uncertainties and complexities that shape today’s business arenas. On the contrary, it argues that such approach tends only to encourage gender bias and to nurture a somewhat sex war game in detriment of organizations efficiency and productivity.

scholarly journals Geschlechtergerechte Sprache im Arabischen. Skizzierung des Forschungsstands und Fallanalyse arabischer Übersetzungen bayerischer Behördentexte.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Lisa Schor
Keyword(s):  
Gender Bias ◽  
Language Use ◽  
Arab World ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Arabic Language ◽  
Inclusive Language ◽  
Geschlechtergerechte Sprache ◽  
State Of Research ◽  
And Gender

Während sich geschlechtergerechter Sprachgebrauch im deutschen Sprachraum bereits mehr oder weniger etabliert hat, steckt die Forschung zur sprachlichen Gleichbehandlung in der arabischen Welt noch in den Kinderschuhen. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird zunächst der aktuelle Forschungsstand rund um Gender Bias und geschlechtergerechte Sprache im Arabischen skizziert. Im Anschluss folgt eine Einzelfallstudie, in der 15 Behördentexte bayerischer Staatsministerien und deren arabische Übersetzungen einer qualitativen Inhaltsanalyse unterzogen werden. Anhand eines eigens erstellten Kategoriensystems wird analysiert, welche Strategien derzeit bei der Übersetzung geschlechtergerechter Formulierungen ins Arabische angewandt werden. Aus der Skizzierung des Forschungs-stands geht hervor, dass die arabische Sprache sowohl auf formaler als auch auf soziolinguistischer Ebene viele androzentrische Elemente enthält. Verschiedene Möglichkeiten für einen geschlechtergerechten Sprachgebrauch werden dargestellt. Es wird ersichtlich, dass in der arabischen Welt eine zunehmende Sensibilisierung für sprachliche Gleichbehandlung zu beobachten ist. Die Einzelfallstudie zeigt, dass geschlechtergerechte Formulierungen bei der Übersetzung ins Arabische bevorzugt ins generische Maskulinum übertragen werden. Gelegentlich finden sich zwar auch Beidnennungen, diese sind jedoch als wörtliche Übersetzung der Ausgangsformulierungen zu interpretieren. Die Intention der Ausgangstexte für sprachliche Gleichbehandlung spiegelt sich in den arabischen Übersetzungen nicht wider, daher wird geschlussfolgert, dass den Übersetzenden das Konzept geschlechtergerechter Sprache nicht hinreichend bekannt ist. While gender-inclusive language use is already more or less established in the German-speaking society, research on linguistic equality in the Arab world is still in its early days. This paper first outlines the current state of research on gender bias and gender-inclusive language in Arabic. It is then followed by a case study in which 15 official texts of Bavarian state ministries and their Arabic translations are subjected to a qualitative content analysis. Through a system of categorization, the study analyzes which strategies are currently used in translating gender-inclusive phrases into Arabic. From the outline of the state of research, it is clear that the Arabic language contains many androcentric elements, both on a formal and sociolinguistic level. Various possibilities for gender-inclusive language use are presented. It becomes apparent that there is an increasing awareness of linguistic equality in the Arab world. The case study shows that gender-inclusive phrases are preferably transferred to the generic masculine when translated into Arabic. Occasionally, pairing is also found, however it is to be interpreted as a literal translation of the source material. The intention of the source texts for linguistic equality is not reflected in the Arabic translations. Thus, it is concluded that the translators are not sufficiently familiar with the concept of gender-inclusive language.

scholarly journals Big Book: Attractive Media for Teaching Vocabulary to Lower Class of Young Learners

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 141
Author(s):  
Anissa Indrasari ◽  
Dian Novita ◽  
Fika Megawati
Keyword(s):  
Recognition Task ◽  
Lower Class ◽  
First Grade ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Young Learners ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
The Media ◽  
Vocabulary Achievement

Introducing English to young learners is challenging job. In order to make the students focus, something interesting should be brought inside the classroom. One of the media that can potentially entertain students as well as transfer the language concept is big book. The aim of this study is to find out whether there is significant effect in students’ vocabulary achievement in the first grade at primary school before and after being taught by using big book. In this case, the researcher used quantitative method with quasi experimental design. The subject of this research consisted of 35 students in each group. The main activities conducted in the learning process were try-out, pre-test, treatment and post-test. In analyzing, the researcher used ttest to calculate the data and to test the hypothesis. The result of this research revealed that the use of big book gives significant effect to students’ vocabulary achievement. Further, the result of vocabulary recognition task or VRT in I-B as experimental class showed more satisfying point. This implies that teachers for young learners have to be active and creative to present attractive media so that the learners can be motivated in learning the target language, especially in the context of EFL.  

Twitter Makes It Worse: Political Journalists, Gendered Echo Chambers, and the Amplification of Gender Bias

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 324-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikki Usher ◽  
Jesse Holcomb ◽  
Justin Littman
Keyword(s):  
Gender Bias ◽  
Peer Relationships ◽  
Political Communication ◽  
Substantial Evidence ◽  
Gender Inequity ◽  
Political Journalism ◽  
Female Journalists ◽  
Gender Asymmetry ◽  
Significant Support ◽  
The U.S

Given both the historical legacy and the contemporary awareness about gender inequity in journalism and politics as well as the increasing importance of Twitter in political communication, this article considers whether the platform makes some of the existing gender bias against women in political journalism even worse. Using a framework that characterizes journalists’ Twitter behavior in terms of the dimensions of their peer-to-peer relationships and a comprehensive sample of permanently credentialed journalists for the U.S. Congress, substantial evidence of gender bias beyond existing inequities emerges. Most alarming is that male journalists amplify and engage male peers almost exclusively, while female journalists tend to engage most with each other. The significant support for claims of gender asymmetry as well as evidence of gender silos are findings that not only underscore the importance of further research but also suggest overarching consequences for the structure of contemporary political communication.

Diversity ASX corporate governance recommendations: a step towards change?

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 335-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonia Shimeld ◽  
Belinda Williams ◽  
Justin Shimeld
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Cultural Change ◽  
Listed Company ◽  
Gender Diversity ◽  
Business Case ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Gender Inequity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Disclosure Requirements ◽  
Before And After

Purpose The business case argument was used to underpin the inclusion of diversity disclosures within the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations (2010). By adding a requirement for diversity disclosure, an increase in focus on diversity would be expected because of a heightened level of accountability. Whether this change in the Recommendations affected any change in the boardroom is questionable though. The purpose of this paper is to explore the effectiveness of these disclosure requirements. Design/methodology/approach The authors draw on data obtained from a random sample of 120 ASX-listed company annual reports across two time periods: 2009 and 2012 (before and after the change in the Recommendations). Findings Although findings indicate that there has been some change, especially in the more visible companies (ASX200), many of the changes appear to be largely superficial with a continued focus on the business case perspective. Social implications While the disclosure recommendations have the potential to be a driver in addressing gender inequity, the findings of this paper indicate that without deep change at the organisational level, requiring listed companies to disclose on gender diversity may have little impact, with the focus remaining on the business case and business as normal. Originality/value This paper contributes to the literature on gender diversity in the boardroom and the effect of disclosure. The empirical findings contribute to an understanding of the diversity Recommendations within the ASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations, but in doing so, it calls for deeper organisational cultural change if real change is to take effect.

Using Video to Increase Gender Bias Literacy Toward Women in Science

2016 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evava S. Pietri ◽  
Corinne A. Moss-Racusin ◽  
John F. Dovidio ◽  
Dipika Guha ◽  
Gina Roussos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gender Bias ◽  
Women In Science ◽  
Mathematics Interventions ◽  
Gender Inequity ◽  
Unfair Treatment ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Gender Biases ◽  
Expert Interview ◽  
Underrepresentation Of Women ◽  
And Mathematics

Despite evidence that gender biases contribute to the persistent underrepresentation of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, interventions that enhance gender bias literacy about these fields remain rare. The current research tested the effectiveness of two theoretically grounded sets of videos at increasing gender bias literacy as characterized by (a) awareness of bias, (b) knowledge of gender inequity, (c) feelings of efficacy at being able to notice bias, and (d) recognition and confrontation of bias across situations. The narrative videos utilized entertaining stories to illustrate gender bias, while the expert interview videos discussed the same bias during an interview with a psychology professor. The narrative videos increased participants’ immersion in the story and identification with characters, whereas the expert interviews promoted logical thinking and perceptions of being knowledgeable about gender bias facts. Compared with control videos, the narrative and expert interview videos increased awareness of bias (Experiments 1 and 2) and influenced knowledge of gender inequity, self-efficacy beliefs, and the recognition of bias in everyday situations (Experiment 2). However, only the expert interview videos affected participants’ intentions to confront unfair treatment. Additional online materials for this article are available to PWQ subscribers on PWQ’s website at http://pwq.sagepub.com/supplemental

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