A further Addendum for Magpie and others who might be interested - stereotype threat is much discussed in philosophy, partly because some of the problems philosophy has with diversity seem to be linked to these issues.
In the same way that there's a stereotype about women being worse at mathematics than men (as Prof. Wolff describes), there are stereotypes about what kinds of people might be competent in (academic) philosophy. Stereotype threat is one of a handful of 'implicit biases' that are being explored by several collaborative networks in philosophy and psychology.
I heard about Claude Steele's research when we were both at the Behavioral Sciences Center at Stanford twenty years ago. As I recall, when he was at the University of Michigan, he had devised a program for getting around the effects of stereotype threat.
I believe that later he was Director of the Center.
About the stereotype regarding women and mathematics: I have read claims to the effect that now women are better represented in mathematics than in philosophy. But I haven't seen serious data.
Thanks, Prof.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to replying to your readers, you are -- as they say -- the man :-)
This website is very useful
ReplyDeletehttp://www.reducingstereotypethreat.org/
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ReplyDeleteA further Addendum for Magpie and others who might be interested - stereotype threat is much discussed in philosophy, partly because some of the problems philosophy has with diversity seem to be linked to these issues.
ReplyDeleteIn the same way that there's a stereotype about women being worse at mathematics than men (as Prof. Wolff describes), there are stereotypes about what kinds of people might be competent in (academic) philosophy. Stereotype threat is one of a handful of 'implicit biases' that are being explored by several collaborative networks in philosophy and psychology.
See here for more details and links: Implicit Bias & Philosophy
I heard about Claude Steele's research when we were both at the Behavioral Sciences Center at Stanford twenty years ago. As I recall, when he was at the University of Michigan, he had devised a program for getting around the effects of stereotype threat.
ReplyDeleteI believe that later he was Director of the Center.
About the stereotype regarding women and mathematics: I have read claims to the effect that now women are better represented in mathematics than in philosophy. But I haven't seen serious data.