Date of Award

2-2023

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

School

Psychology

Committee Chair

Dr. Donald Sacco

Committee Chair School

Psychology

Committee Member 2

Dr. Aaron Fath

Committee Member 2 School

Psychology

Committee Member 3

Dr. Kenji Noguchi

Committee Member 3 School

Psychology

Committee Member 4

Dr. Mitch Brown

Committee Member 4 School

Psychology

Abstract

A notable gender asymmetry has been historically prevalent in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Recent work has shown how gender-inclusive advertisements can increase women’s interest in pursuing these fields as indexed by college course enrollment, which could occur through reminders of moral and pragmatic utilities of gender inclusivity. This dissertation extended prior work by determining if inclusivity priming can be leveraged to facilitate financial investment in hypothetical STEM and non-STEM companies led by either a male or female CEO. Participants were first primed with a statement describing the pragmatic utility of gender inclusivity in STEM, a moral statement on inclusivity, or control information. Next, they assessed their willingness to invest in STEM and non-STEM companies with male and female CEOs and their attitudes toward both the companies and their CEOs. I additionally assessed differences in right-wing authoritarianism (RWA) and left-wing authoritarianism (LWA). Although I found no support for the social justice inclusivity approach, we found partial support for predictions related to pragmatic inclusivity emerged for those high in RWA and LWA. Pragmatic inclusivity promoted inclusive investment attitudes only toward male-led non-STEM companies. Findings contribute to the understanding of how facets of personality can influence investment in the service of gender parity in a business context

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