Gender Bias in Resumes

The following is from the latest AASW newsletter, posted by Joan Schmelz [jschmelz_at_memphis.edu]. She noted a few studies that reveal conscious or unconscious bias in both men and women:

'When evaluating identical application packages, male and female University psychology professors preferred 2:1 to hire "Brian" over "Karen" as an assistant professor. When evaluating a more experienced record (at the point of promotion to tenure), reservations were expressed four times more often when the name was female. This unconscious bias has a repeated negative effect on Karen's career. Ref: Steinpreis, Anders, & Ritzke (1999) Sex Roles, 41, 509.

More recently, the unconscious bias against motherhood was evaluated. Resumes for Jane Smith were identical except of one small detail: Active in the PTA. This line indicated that Jane was a mother, and she was rated significantly lower than "non-mother" Jane. When evaluating identical applications: Evaluators rated mothers as less competent and committed to paid work than non-mothers; prospective employers called mothers back about half as often as non-mothers; and mothers were less likely to be recommended for hire, promotion, and management, and were offered lower starting salaries than non-mothers. Ref: Correll, Benard and Paik (2007) American Journal of Sociology, 112 (5), 1297-1338.

New to me in this talk were the results for "father" and "non-father" John. As above, the results were identical except of one line: Active in the PTA. But this time, "father" John got higher ratings than "non-father" John! Fathers were not disadvantaged in the hiring process and were seen as more committed to paid work and offered higher starting salaries than non-fathers. What's a mother to do? Ref: Correll, Benard and Paik (2007) American Journal of Sociology, 112 (5), 1297-1338.'

I have also heard of a study done on identical paintings with male and female signatures, and the males were rated significantly higher. Has anyone heard of this, and if so, do you have the reference? These inherent biases have obvious implications on the way women can access power.