Compares characteristics of students taking programming-oriented versus applications-oriented higher education courses. Topics include computer engagement, programming experience, computing attitudes, a greater gender imbalance in enrollment on the programming-oriented course, the usefulness of psychometric measures, discriminant function…

Investigates stereotypes of male and female undergraduates at Leicester University who had experience with computer programming, word processing, or computer games. The application of 16 personality attributes from a previous study is discussed, and gender differences in the perception of the 3 computer uses are considered. (LRW)