A Mixed Method Examination of Gender Differences in Perceptions of STEM among Iranian Americans

Much of the research on gender differences in STEM pursuit has been conducted on predominantly White samples in the United States and Western Europe, where women are underrepresented in STEM. Little is known about the factors that influence STEM participation in cultures where women are overrepresented in STEM, as they are in Iran (Masood, 2006). Iranian American students (N= 92) completed measures of cultural orientation, agentic and communal goal orientations and affordances, and interest in STEM and responded to open ended questions regarding their choice of major and perceptions of STEM. Stronger orientation toward Iranian culture was associated with stronger perceptions that STEM careers afforded communal goals and greater interest in STEM among women (vs. men). Qualitative responses suggested that Iranian American students perceived STEM positively and perceived STEM as providing opportunities for agentic and communal goal fulfillment. Understanding the role of culture in perceptions of STEM is necessary to understand gender and ethnic group differences in STEM pursuit.