A Study Examining Gender Bias of Female Students in Group Activity Teams

Abstract

Gender bias is a pervasive issue, and group activities that are commonly seen in schools, workplaces, and other environments may be a form in which gender bias is manifested and exacerbated. Therefore, understanding the existence and impact of gender bias in group activities is of great significance for promoting gender equality and justice. This study adopted a mixed-methods research design, integrating both questionnaire surveys and in-depth interviews, and explored whether female students feel gender bias in group activity teams, in order to further understand the specific manifestations of gender bias in group activity teams and the real experiences of female students. The study found that after group activities, the average scores of Hostile Sexism and Benevolent Sexism among female students increased, indicating that the activities may exacerbate gender bias and strengthen gender stereotypes. In-depth interviews further validated this finding and provided more specific examples. The interviewed female students reported that they experienced gender bias such as interruptions to their speaking and dismissal of their opinions, as well as stereotypical expectations of gender roles. To minimize gender bias, they suggested countermeasures such as grouping by gender and increasing gender equality education and training. These findings reveal the potential impact of group activities on gender bias and provide important references for improving activity design and promoting gender equality.