Boys are smart (and really dull and pretty average): Testing replication and validity of the Brilliance Stereotype

Abstract

A Brilliance Stereotype associating high intellectual ability with men and not women with possible downstream impacts on interests or work has been reported. Here, we report five replications and extensions testing this finding (total N = 737). Studies 1 and 2 were direct replications and found no support for the male brilliance stereotype: Instead, 10-year-old boys and girls both chose own-gender targets as smartest. Study 3 tested stereotyping of the opposite of brilliance – being very dull. Contrary to the brilliance stereotype model, males were stereotyped as dull by both girls and boys (OR = 0.22, p < .001). Study 4 added additional validity checks, but no difference in brilliance stereotype was found between boys and girls (p = .517). We also tested the causal claim that brilliance stereotypes impact career interests. Large gender differences were found for occupational interests (e.g. nursing (β = 0.73 CI₉₅ [0.48, 0.98], t = 5.68, p < .001, scientist/engineer (β = −0.61 CI₉₅ [−0.88, −0.35], t = −4.60, p < .001). Despite this, the brilliance stereotype showed no relationship to any occupational interests (p-values 0.523 to 0.999). Brilliance stereotype, and effects of brilliance stereotype lack internal coherence and predictive validity.