A questionnaire study among college sophomores and seniors indicated that: (1) female students neither gravitate toward nor avoid female role models, while men prefer high status, powerful male models; and (2) female and male students were similar in the amount and nature of contact with models, mentoring performed by models, and modeling…

Describes an in-school intervention project that used female role models to change the attitudes of 964 Iowa girls and boys in 57 ninth-grade science classes toward science, math, and technical curricula and careers. Results indicated that attitudes of girls and boys who participated in the study improved more than attitudes of girls and boys in…

Presents results from a seven-year research project in which a baseline class of high school students was compared with a class in which role-model intervention was used to encourage female students to complete upper-level science courses. In the target class, there were no significant gender differences in science credits earned. Attitude survey…

The likelihood that females designate persons of the opposite sex as models more often than do males was investigated. Subjects, 61 boys and 64 girls from the sixth grade, plus 52 males and 83 female college students, indicated which other person, past or present, they would most like to be. Approximately 25% of females designated male models…

In rating the appropriateness of nontraditional jobs for men and women, indications are that students' attitudes can be changed by exposure to nontraditional models. The study of written job descriptions which were rated by students analyzes male and female sex-typed attitudes and beliefs about appropriateness of gender to career. (CM)

Undergraduates in mixed-sex groups evaluated female-authored articles. Subjects in all-women groups did not show sex discrimination. Female subjects in mixed-sex groups endorsed more profeminist ideas. Participation in an all-women's group may elicit a more positive image of women. (Author)

Investigates the influence of 17 factors on high school students' attitudes toward women in science. Finds that females who have high science ability and who plan to complete high levels of education and have career interests in science, showed favorable attitudes toward women in science; however, males with low science ability, no plans to…

Females were more influenced by female models in their choice of career than were males. No effect of sex-role attitude appeared. The particular importance of female models for female students was discussed. (Author)

Gifted elementary and secondary students (n=254) were asked who they considered the greatest leaders of the 20th century. Students' parents ranked high, and girls often cited their teachers or grandmothers, but female and minority group leaders were generally underrepresented. Suggestions for broadening students' range of role models are provided.…

Describes a study that determined the effect of two types of instructional media--interactive video and print--and learner gender on attitudes toward instruction. The use of role models with unemployed adults in an employment skills program is discussed; and the use of the Instructional Materials Motivation Scale is described. (32 references) (LRW)

This study examines preadolescents' choice of admired individuals and the reasons given in support of that admiration in two different cultures. Students in the fourth and fifth grades of a public school in East Brunswick, New Jersey and in a Jewish parochial school in the same community comprised the American sample of 100 boys and 115 girls. A…

This study examined the effects of gender, attitudes toward computers, and presentation of individual or paired female peer talent on adolescent learners' perceptions of talent credibility in the context of media presentations on computer utilization. Subjects were 96 eighth grade students (56 females, 40 males) enrolled in careers and…

A study was conducted to investigate the impact of role models on students' perceived competence, stress, and satisfaction with graduate school. Specific emphasis was given to the effects of gender on the evaluation process. Twenty-one male and female graduate students in communications were asked to designate the existence of a role model…

Among students with same-sex teacher models, the wish to emulate one's teacher (teacher attraction) was positively associated with growth in career confidence and motivation. Among students with opposite-sex teacher models, teacher attraction was not related to student growth. (GC)

The research focusing on the science achievement and career selection of females and the relationship of these variables to attitudinal characteristics is examined. The effects of classroom variables, such as questioning differences, expectations of students, and student interest, are also discussed. (KR)