The Brilliance Barrier: Stereotypes about Brilliance Are an Obstacle to Diversity in Science and Beyond

old_uid16803
titleThe Brilliance Barrier: Stereotypes about Brilliance Are an Obstacle to Diversity in Science and Beyond
start_date2018/11/19
schedule14h
onlineno
summaryI propose that a field’s diversity is affected by what its members believe is required for success: Fields that value raw intellectual talent above all else may inadvertently obstruct the participation of women and (some) minorities. The environment in these fields may be less welcoming to women and minority groups because of the cultural stereotypes that associate intellectual talent—brilliance, genius, etc.—with (white) men. This proposal is supported by observational and experimental data from a wide range of fields in the sciences and the humanities, as well as by developmental data that reveal how early these stereotypes take hold.
responsiblesVaidis, Fayant