A Quasi-Experimental Pilot Study Examining the Effectiveness of the Gender By Us Toolkit in Shifting Gender Schemas

Background/Purpose: Gender schema theory explains the complex social and cultural transmission of beliefs, attitudes, behaviors, and self-concept linked to sex characteristics. Despite women’s increased participation in higher education and the workforce—including positions traditionally held by men—gender-based schemas and stereotypes persist, negatively influencing women’s aspirations, employment, and opportunities. The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio designed The Gender By Us™ toolkit to increase awareness of gender norms, gender biases, and their impact on women’s opportunities. This quasi-experimental pilot study examined whether participants who took part in semi-structured conversations about gender norms, as outlined by the toolkit, had shifts in attitudes, skills, and/or behaviors compared to those who did not receive the intervention.

Methods: This study used a quasi-experimental design. Participants (N=23) were recruited and randomly selected via ResearchMatch and StudySearch. Researchers randomly assigned the condition: the Gender By Us™ intervention (N=11) or a generic control group conversation (N=12). One researcher facilitated both group conversations while another observed, took detailed notes, and acted as a timekeeper to ensure fidelity. Participants completed baseline, post-, and 2-week follow-up surveys using valid psychometric instruments: The Social Dominance Orientation Scale, the Modern Sexism Scale, and the Neosexism Scale. Additional scaled and open-ended questions assessed participants’ perceptions of the toolkit. Using repeated measures ANOVA, comparisons between groups and from the three different time points were compared. Since both groups were small, a significance level of p <.10 was chosen to assess for significant differences between and within groups.

Results: Mean scores for the intervention group on the Social Dominance Orientation Scale decreased from pre- to post-test (p = 0.10) and post-test to 2-week (p = 0.13) follow-up, nearing significance. Among participants in the intervention group, lower scores over time signified increased empathy and reduced tolerance for group-based dominance and inequality. Further, intervention group mean scores on the Neosexism Scale at 2-week follow-up significantly differed from the control group (p = 0.05). Findings indicated the intervention group reported more support for policies designed to enhance the status of women at 2-week follow-up compared to the control group. Finally, results showed the difference between mean scores for the intervention and control group on the Modern Sexism Scale were statistically significant at post-test (p = 0.00). Hence, the intervention group had greater acknowledgement of gender discrimination compared to the control group immediately following the intervention.

Conclusion/Implications: The Gender By Us™ conversation had a small, but positive effect in disrupting gender schemas among participants in the intervention group when compared to the control group. Gender By Us™ participants demonstrated increased empathy and intolerance for group-based dominance and inequality and more favorable perceptions of policies designed to enhance the status of women when compared to those in the control group. Results suggest that the toolkit and subsequent conversation may raise awareness, increase knowledge, shift attitudes, and motivate behaviors that seek to challenge rigid gender norms. Further research should consider the impact of increased dosage of the intervention and its impact on gender-based attitudes and behaviors over a greater period of time.