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Why are there so few women in information technology? Assessing the role of personality in career choices

Author

Listed:
  • Rosenbloom, Joshua L.
  • Ash, Ronald A.
  • Dupont, Brandon
  • Coder, LeAnne

Abstract

Despite increases in female labor force participation, women remain substantially under represented in most scientific and technical fields. The small number of women in engineering, physics, chemistry, computer science and other similar fields has variously been attributed to discrimination, differences in ability or choice. This paper uses a unique data set containing information on vocational interests to examine the determinants of entry in to Information Technology occupations. We show that men and women differ systematically in their interests, and that these differences can account for an economically and statistically large fraction of the occupational gender gap.

Suggested Citation

  • Rosenbloom, Joshua L. & Ash, Ronald A. & Dupont, Brandon & Coder, LeAnne, 2008. "Why are there so few women in information technology? Assessing the role of personality in career choices," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 29(4), pages 543-554, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:joepsy:v:29:y:2008:i:4:p:543-554
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Melissa Osborne & Herbert Gintis & Samuel Bowles, 2001. "The Determinants of Earnings: A Behavioral Approach," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 39(4), pages 1137-1176, December.
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    4. Kuhn, Peter J. & Weinberger, Catherine, 2002. "Leadership Skills and Wages," IZA Discussion Papers 482, IZA Network @ LISER.
    5. James J. Heckman & Jora Stixrud & Sergio Urzua, 2006. "The Effects of Cognitive and Noncognitive Abilities on Labor Market Outcomes and Social Behavior," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 24(3), pages 411-482, July.
    6. Margo Coleman & Thomas DeLeire, 2003. "An Economic Model of Locus of Control and the Human Capital Investment Decision," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 38(3).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Blog mentions

    As found by EconAcademics.org, the blog aggregator for Economics research:
    1. Was Larry Summers Right about Women?
      by Brandon Dupont in Economic Incubator on 2013-09-06 10:14:02

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    Cited by:

    1. Patricia Wonch Hill & Julia McQuillan & Eli Talbert & Amy Spiegel & G. Robin Gauthier & Judy Diamond, 2017. "Science Possible Selves and the Desire to be a Scientist: Mindsets, Gender Bias, and Confidence during Early Adolescence," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 6(2), pages 1-18, May.
    2. Migheli, Matteo, 2010. "Gender at work: Productivity and incentives," POLIS Working Papers 142, Institute of Public Policy and Public Choice - POLIS.
    3. Castro Campos, Bente, 2013. "Human capital differences or labor market discrimination? The occupational outcomes of ethnic minorities in rural Guizhou (China)," Studies on the Agricultural and Food Sector in Transition Economies, Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO), volume 73, number 73.
    4. Markus Jokela & Jaakko Meriläinen & Janne Tukiainen & Åsa von Schoultz, 2025. "Personality Traits and Cognitive Ability in Political Selection," Journal of the European Economic Association, European Economic Association, vol. 23(5), pages 1908-1949.
    5. Antecol, Heather & Cobb-Clark, Deborah A., 2013. "Do psychosocial traits help explain gender segregation in young people's occupations?," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 21(C), pages 59-73.
    6. Coenen, Johan & Borghans, Lex & Diris, Ron, 2021. "Personality traits, preferences and educational choices: A focus on STEM," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    7. Marc Goulden & Mary Ann Mason & Karie Frasch, 2011. "Keeping Women in the Science Pipeline," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 638(1), pages 141-162, November.
    8. Tran, Tuyen Quang & Tran, Anh Lan & Pham, Thai Minh & Van Vu, Huong, 2018. "Local governance and occupational choice among young people: First evidence from Vietnam," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 21-31.
    9. Antecol, Heather & Cobb-Clark, Deborah A., 2010. "Do Non-Cognitive Skills Help Explain the Occupational Segregation of Young People?," IZA Discussion Papers 5093, IZA Network @ LISER.
    10. repec:lan:wpaper:4356 is not listed on IDEAS
    11. repec:lan:wpaper:4484 is not listed on IDEAS
    12. A Aggarwal & R Freguglia & G Johnes & G Spricigo, 2011. "Education and labour market outcomes : evidence from India," Working Papers 615663, Lancaster University Management School, Economics Department.
    13. repec:lan:wpaper:4355 is not listed on IDEAS
    14. Castro Campos, Bente, 2014. "Official Ethnic Labels and Non-Agricultural Work in Guizhou (China)," Quarterly Journal of International Agriculture, Humboldt-Universitaat zu Berlin, vol. 53(2), pages 1-28, May.
    15. Nifo, Annamaria & Scalera, Domenico & Vecchione, Gaetano, 2016. "What do you want to be when you grow up? Local institutional quality and the choice of the fields of study in Italy (2004-2007)," MPRA Paper 69907, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    16. Ham, Roger & Junankar, Pramod N. (Raja) & Wells, Robert, 2009. "Occupational Choice: Personality Matters," IZA Discussion Papers 4105, IZA Network @ LISER.
    17. repec:lan:wpaper:4789 is not listed on IDEAS

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