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This research examines how negative reactions to stereotypic STEM images influence women's memories and performance in math contexts characterized by social identity threat.

March 7, 2026Scientific ReportsOpen Access

Aversive responses to stereotypic science and math-based (STEM) images predict women’s long–term STEM memories and underperformance in math

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Authors

CFChad E. ForbesArizona Department of Health Services RARachel C. AmeyUniversity of Delaware IOIrmak Olcaysoy OktenFlorida State University

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Implication

Four studies explore how negative reactions to STEM images affect women's math memories and performance, suggesting potential interventions.

Key Points

This research examines how negative reactions to stereotypic STEM images influence women's memories and performance in math contexts characterized by social identity threat.
Conducted four studies utilizing various methodologies including dot-probe paradigms and EEG activities.
Measured emotional responses and memory effects of women experiencing social identity threat compared to men.
Examined performance differences in math tests following exposure to stereotypic vs. non-stereotypic images.
Implemented training interventions to reduce aversive responses among women.
SIT women showed greater negative responses to STEM images compared to non-STEM images and underperformed in math tasks.
Aversive responses among women in STEM majors correlated with more negative memories regarding STEM experiences after five weeks.
Increased communication between brain regions during exposure to STEM images predicted math underperformance amongst women, but better performance in men.
Training that reduced negative responses to STEM images improved women's math performance in mixed-gender contexts.

Cite This Study

Forbes et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69abc2555af8044f7a4ebcbf https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-27999-3

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Implication

Four studies explore how negative reactions to STEM images affect women's math memories and performance, suggesting potential interventions.

Aversive responses to stereotypic science and math-based (STEM) images predict women’s long–term STEM memories and underperformance in math

Discussion

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Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Aversive responses to stereotypic science and math-based (STEM) images predict women’s long–term STEM memories and underperformance in math

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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