Gender stereotypes in preschoolers’ image of scientists

ABSTRACT

This paper examines how children aged 6–7, see scientists. By combining the data collected through the analysis of the drawings (Draw-a-scientist-test) and interviews, it was established that boys are more inclined to expressing gender stereotypes about scientists and showing them in their pictures. Among other stereotypical elements referring to scientists, formerly established in other studies, the most observable ones among considered preschoolers refer to the presence of the following: a lab coat, eyeglasses, scientist’s messy hair, and activity related to the field of natural sciences. The significance of this kind of research lies in getting a more complete view on children’s image of scientists through the analysis of data obtained by means of two instruments, and in the possibility of developing adequate approaches in preschool teachers’ work that could help reduce preschoolers’ stereotypical views of science and scientists.

KEYWORDS:

• Preschoolers
• view of a scientist
• female scientist
• male scientist
• gender stereotypes
• DAST

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research is part of research project ‘Concepts and strategies for ensuring the quality of basic education’, no. 179020, whose implementation has been funded by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia (2011–2018).