Gender and computers: similarities and differences in Iranian college students' attitudes toward computers

Abstract This study surveys attitudes about computers among 375 Iranian undergraduate students (155 males and 220 females). We found significant gender differences with respect to confidence about computers and stereotypic views of computer users. Women showed stronger beliefs in equal gender ability and competence in use of computers, but expressed low confidence in their own ability to work with computers. There were no significant gender differences in respondents' liking for computers or their perceptions of the usefulness of computers. Male and female students believed equally in the positive effects of computers on individuals and society. Results also are discussed in terms of parents' perceived beliefs and behaviors, as well as their socioeconomic status (SES.)

[1]  L. Wilkinson,et al.  Gender Influences in Classroom Interaction , 1985 .

[2]  Tracy Camp,et al.  The incredible shrinking pipeline , 1997, CACM.

[3]  Lily Shashaani.  Gender-Differences in Computer Experience and its Influence on Computer Attitudes , 1994 .

[4]  E. Greenberger,et al.  Sex Differences in Educational Aspirations and Expectations1 , 1978 .

[5]  T. Busch.  Gender Differences in Self-Efficacy and Attitudes toward Computers , 1995 .

[6]  VASILIOS MAKRAKIS,et al.  Gender, computers and other school subjects among Japanese and Swedish students , 1996, Comput. Educ..

[7]  Janis E. Jacobs,et al.  Influence of gender stereotypes on parent and child mathematics attitudes , 1991 .

[8]  Lily Shashaani,et al.  Gender-based differences in attitudes toward computers , 1993 .

[9]  Kathleen Yeloushan.  Social barriers hindering successful entry of females into technology-oriented fields , 1989 .

[10]  Tjeerd Plomp,et al.  Some gender issues in educational computer use: results of an international comparative survey , 1993 .

[11]  Marcia C. Linn,et al.  Previous Experience and the Learning of Computer Programming: The Computer Helps Those Who Help Themselves , 1988 .

[12]  Anandra Mitra,et al.  Categories of Computer Use and Their Relationships with Attitudes Toward Computers , 1998 .

[13]  J. Wajcman.  Feminism Confronts Technology , 1991 .

[14]  Blair Wheaton,et al.  The socialization of sex-differentiated skills and academic performance: A mediational model , 1990 .

[15]  J. Leung,et al.  Aspiring parents' and teachers' academic beliefs about young children , 1990 .

[16]  J. Meece,et al.  Sex differences in achievement: A test of alternate theories. , 1984 .

[17]  Betty Collis,et al.  National Trends in Computer Use among Canadian Secondary School Students: Implications for Cross-Cultural Analyses. , 1989 .

[18]  Kevin Majoribanks,et al.  Relationship of Children's Ethnicity, Gender, and Social Status to Their Family Environments and School-Related Outcomes , 1991 .

[19]  Leslie J. Francis,et al.  The relationship between computer related attitudes and gender stereotyping of computer use , 1994 .

[20]  Azy Barak,et al.  Traditionality of children's interests as related to their parents' gender stereotypes and traditionality of occupations , 1991 .

[21]  Joanne M. Badagliacco,et al.  Gender and Race Differences in Computing Attitudes and Experience , 1990 .

[22]  E. Bunderson,et al.  An Analysis of Retention Problems for Female Students in University Computer Science Programs , 1995 .

[23]  Jacquelynne S. Eccles,et al.  Gender Differences in Math Ability: The Impact of Media Reports on Parents , 1985 .

[24]  Lily Shashaani,et al.  Socioeconomic Status, Parents' Sex-Role Stereotypes, and the Gender Gap in Computing , 1994 .

[25]  Tjeerd Plomp,et al.  Information technology and gender equality: A contradiction in terminis? , 1997, Comput. Educ..

[26]  Alex Koohang,et al.  A professional development question: is computer experience associated with subjects' attitudes toward the perceived usefulness of computers? , 1989 .

[27]  Jacquelynne S. Eccles,et al.  Parent perceptions and attributions for children's math achievement , 1988 .

[28]  Katherine Canada,et al.  The technological gender gap: Evidence and recommendations for educators and computer-based instruction designers , 1991 .

[29]  Lee Sproull,et al.  Pool Halls, Chips, and War Games: Women in the Culture of Computing , 1985 .

[30]  Alex Koohang,et al.  A study of attitudes toward computers: anxiety, confidence, liking, and perception of usefulness , 1987 .

[31]  J. Parsons,et al.  Socialization of Achievement Attitudes and Beliefs: Parental Influences. , 1982 .

[32]  B. Collis.  Psychosocial implications of sex differences in attitudes toward computers: Results of a survey. , 1985 .

[33]  T. Levin,et al.  Effect of Gender and Computer Experience on Attitudes toward Computers , 1989 .

[34]  D. Kandel,et al.  Parental and Peer Influences on Adolescents' Educational Plans: Some Further Evidence , 1981, American Journal of Sociology.

[35]  Yixin Zhang,et al.  Relationships Among Computer Self-Efficacy, Attitudes Toward Computers, and Desirability of Learning Computing Skills , 1998 .

[36]  C. Garvey,et al.  Factors that Affect Nontraditional Vocational Enrollment Among Women , 1985 .

[37]  Lillian B. Rubin.  Worlds Of Pain: Life In The Working-class Family , 1976 .

[38]  N. Jo Campbell,et al.  Computer Anxiety of Rural Middle and Secondary School Students , 1989 .

[39]  Lily Shashaani.  Gender Differences in Computer Attitudes and Use among College Students , 1997 .

[40]  Rachelle S. Heller,et al.  American and Soviet Children's Attitudes toward Computers , 1992 .

[41]  F. Heenwood,et al.  Exceptional women? Gender and technology in U.K. higher education , 1999 .

[42]  Betty Collis.  Sex-Related Differences in Attitudes toward Computers: Implications for Counselors. , 1985 .

[43]  Samia Massoud.  Computer Attitudes and Computer Knowledge of Adult Students , 1991 .

[44]  S. Ogletree,et al.  Sex and sex-typing effects on computer attitudes and aptitude , 1990 .