Intelligent women get less help at work, study finds
Women who scored high on intelligence tests were seen as more hostile by their teammates and got less help, a new study finds. High-scoring men faced no such penalty. Research explains why.
A recent study reveals women with high intelligence may encounter unfavorable treatment at work. Across 826 participants in the United States and China, those scoring higher on an intelligence test faced increased hostility from colleagues, received less assistance, and experienced more undermining. Men with high scores did not face this penalty, instead receiving better treatment.
The study, conducted by researcher Nitya Chawla, examined whether cognitive ability impacts how teammates interact with individuals and whether this varies between genders. Researchers carried out two separate studies: one involving 432 US business students and another surveying 394 Chinese employees in financial companies. Participants were unaware of one another's intelligence scores, but rated one another based on their interactions.
A few weeks later, each participant reported the level of help they received and instances of being undermined. The results showed small effects, but even minor discrepancies can accumulate over time, causing anxiety, self-doubt, and feelings of isolation. Chawla suggests workplaces should monitor team dynamics and hold regular check-ins to ensure equal support for all employees.
Individuals can also assess if they would respond similarly if the colleague were of a different gender.
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