'Pink for Girls and Blue for Boys? The Colour of Gender Stereotyping' Cafe Science on 24th March

Published On Wed 19 Mar 2014 by Grant Hill

The role that colour plays in reinforcing gender stereotypes will be explored at a Café Science event in Dundee next week.

Dr Sheila Cunningham from Abertay University will discuss consumer choice and gender stereotypes at Avery & Co, South Tay Street, on Monday, 24th March. A lecturer in Psychology, Dr Cunningham’s research is focused on social cognition and explores the mechanisms and biases through which information about the self and other people is processed. She has a particular interest in the effects of stereotypes on cognition and behaviour.

Despite attempts to eliminate gender stereotyping from society through legislation, the likelihood of stereotyping people on the basis of their gender remains a social problem, and Dr Cunningham will examine the implications of colour-based stereotyping in her talk.

“Stereotypes can be built on culturally-presented associations, including messages about what boys and girls should be like” she said.

“It’s important to explore scientifically how stereotypes develop and function so that we can understand the impact of these messages on children’s attitudes and behaviour.”

Café Science was launched in January 2008, and has attracted 5000 visitors since then. The monthly events are informal discussions led by leading local researchers that allow members of the public the opportunity to learn more about the ground-breaking science at the Universities of Dundee, St Andrews and Abertay, the James Hutton Institute, and Dundee Science Centre.

‘Pink for Girls and Blue for Boys? The Colour of Gender Stereotyping’ takes place at Avery & Co from 7pm on Monday, 24th March. The event is free and open to all. There is no need to book in advance but an early arrival is recommended.

More information is available at www.cafesciencedundee.co.uk.   

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