Field of Study Stereotypes: Are They a Reality?

Abstract

This project examines whether the stereotypes about people in specific fields of study reflect actual demographics within those majors, and data was collected by surveying and interviewing UW-Stout undergraduate students. The variables I looked into are gender, race, political affiliation, potential salary, parents’ occupation, parents’ level of education, and how these variables overlap. I asked students to indicate what they believe to be true about the demographics of majors such as the breakdown by gender and race, the typical political views of people in those majors, and to what degree students choose those majors based on salary. I analyzed the data by comparing views about major demographics to actual demographics, and by asking students about their own major and how they are feeling about the stereotypes associated with their major. Results show that perceived stereotypes closely align with the actual demographics and views of students within college majors.