"Unconscious Bias: Male Psychology Researchers Forget Female Colleagues"

In the world of psychology research, a striking gender bias has been unearthed through a groundbreaking study led by Veronica Yan from the University of Texas at Austin. Men psychology researchers were found to significantly underrate their female colleagues when asked to name experts in the field, revealing a pervasive implicit bias that affects citation rates, speaking invitations, job applications, and more. Despite the fact that over 70% of recent Ph.D.s in psychology were awarded to women, men in the field are overlooking the accomplishments and expertise of their female counterparts.

Yan's team conducted a survey involving over 5000 psychology faculty members and researchers, revealing that men showed a glaring recall bias by only naming 27% women as experts compared to the 45% estimate. This disparity in recognition extended to "rising stars" in the field, with men again undervaluing their female colleagues. Interestingly, when asked to recognize prominent experts, men were aware of women's contributions but struggled to recall their names, showcasing the insidious nature of implicit bias.

The study sheds light on the need to address these biases and implement strategies for more equitable recognition of researchers. Proposed solutions include utilizing tools like Semantic Scholar, which leverages artificial intelligence to suggest relevant papers irrespective of gender, and encouraging researchers to assess the gender breakdown of their citations. Departments, journals, and meeting organizers are urged to track and correct gender imbalances in invitations and citations to level the playing field.

As the research community grapples with these revelations, experts like psychologist Asia Eaton emphasize the importance of moving beyond traditional evaluation metrics that perpetuate biases. By acknowledging and actively promoting the work of underrepresented groups, including Black women researchers, the field of psychology can strive towards greater inclusivity and recognition for all. With a concerted effort to address implicit biases and implement structural changes, the hope is that the landscape of psychology research will evolve to reflect true diversity and equality.

The study's findings serve as a wake-up call to the psychology research community, highlighting the need for introspection and proactive measures to combat gender biases that hinder the advancement and recognition of female researchers. In a field where women are increasingly earning advanced degrees, it is imperative to bridge the gap between achievement and acknowledgment to ensure an equitable and inclusive environment for all in the realm of psychology research.

Source: https://www.science.org/content/article/men-psychology-researchers-can-t-seem-remember-their-women-colleagues