Effects of gender stereotypes on performance in mathematics: A serial multivariable mediation model

Abstract

We aimed to determine how gender stereotypes about mathematics affect high school students’ performance in this subject through examining the multiple mediating roles of competence belief, type of achievement goal, and effort. Chinese high school students ( N = 267) completed measures to assess their gender stereotypes, competence belief, achievement goals, effort, and performance in mathematics. The results of a serial multivariable mediation analysis partly supported the idea that competence belief, achievement goals, and effort act as mediators in the relationship between gender stereotypes and mathematics performance. Specifically, gender stereotypes about mathematics had a negative direct and indirect effect on Chinese female students’ mathematics performance: the girls with a stronger gender stereotype were serially associated with less competence belief, lower performance-approach goals, and less effort, all of which, in turn, were associated with poorer performance in mathematics. However, gender stereotypes about mathematics did not predict the level of Chinese male students’ performance at mathematics. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.