The Stereotype Myth
June 8th, 2007
Power or No Power Creates Stereotypes, Not Nature
Sometimes we hang onto stereotypes and they act like anchors, sinking us in the workplace. For instance: Women are nurturing (men are not?) and men are competitive (women are not?). In the Nature-Nurture debate I acknowledge there are some traits you’re born with, but what’s more important is what happens after that. My take on it is that the difference between who has power and who does not is what’s forming our stereotypes—not nature.
The Stereotype Myth [5:22m]:
There are evolutionary reasons for how women handle competition and there are cultural reasons. Research shows that women tend to shy away from competition when men are included. Does that mean women are not as competitive as men? No, it doesn’t. It means we’re letting the stereotype, It’s Not Feminine To Be Competitive, influence our behavior.
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