Heidi Reeder

Panel Discussion - Off the Record: Untold Stories of Women, Science and Engineering

Cheryl B. Schrader et al. — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 14:35:02 PDT

Women throughout history have made groundbreaking contributions to the advancement of science and technology, yet many of their stories remain unknown outside of some academic circles. This session comprises a reading of a work-in-progress and subsequent panel discussion as part of an innovative project to bring some of these amazing stories to the stage. We will present dramatic readings of selected draft monologues which will be followed by a panel discussion spurred by questions from audience members. This will allow for a true give and take between the readers and the audience, will inform monologue development and effectiveness, and will address questions arising from participation in this experience. Our ultimate goal is to write a play featuring monologues about individual women scientists that may be performed in various venues by independent groups and that would be developed as part of a larger funded research project. By presenting stories about these women's accomplishments in a dramatic and accessible form, we hope to educate, enlighten and inspire.

Perceptions about Women in Science and Engineering History

Heidi Reeder et al. — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 10:10:22 PDT

This study investigated college students' perceptions about the contributions of women to the history of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) (N = 1,147). Students were asked to write down as many famous or historically important scientists, inventors or engineers they could think of. After one minute, they were instructed to write down as many famous or historically important women scientists, inventors or engineers they could think of. For the first question, 95% of the responses referred to male scientists, inventors or engineers. For the second question, respondents named on average less than one woman (M=.86), and those named were more often from non-STEM fields (e.g., Rosa Parks) than actual scientists, inventors or engineers. Additionally, while respondents named a total of 279 distinct men, they named only 35 distinct women. Students in STEM fields could name significantly more male scientists, inventors or engineers than non-STEM students, but could not name significantly more women. The implications of these results are discussed, along with suggestions for educators on how to integrate the contributions of women in STEM into the classroom.

From ‘Violating the Silence’ to ‘Mothers of Invention’: Performing Collaboration: Relational Loves and Labors in the Conception, Direction, and Presentation of Performance Research

Heidi Reeder — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:23:16 PDT

Showcasing relational and collaborative dimensions of performance work, from co-authorship and mentorship to stage direction and critique, this panel brings together a group of scholars to name, reflect upon, and honor the often overlooked dimensions of collaborative performance process. Panelists will present a series of “solo” and group performances that were crafted through and/or reflect upon collaborative performance work and the relationships and roles that support, shape, and actualize their scholarship.

The Meaning of Attraction in Male-Female Friendship

Heidi Reeder — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:23:14 PDT

According to the storyline of many films and TV shows, men and women can never be friends because they will always end up romantically involved. Dr. Reeder set out to research whether this is true, based on the experience of actual friends. In this podcast, Dr. Reeder discusses the four types of attraction that can occur in various friendships- friendship attraction, romantic attraction, subjective physical/sexual attraction and objective physical/sexual attraction- as well as how those forms of attraction can change over time. She makes the case that for many male-female friends the primary form of attraction is a friendship bond, but that other types of attraction can offer some interesting variation in some friendships.

Widening Our Circle to Include the Intersexed: Performing the XY Woman

Heidi Reeder — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:23:11 PDT

'I Like you... as a Friend': The Role of Attraction in Cross-Sex Friendship

Heidi Reeder — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:23:09 PDT

This study investigated attraction in heterosexual cross-sex friendships. Study I used in-depth interviews with 20 dyads (40 participants) to uncover four types of attraction that occur in cross-sex friendships - subjective physical/sexual attraction, objective physical/sexual attraction, romantic attraction, and friendship attraction. These types of attraction are subject to being symmetrical or asymmetrical, and may incur changes over time. Study 11 (N = 231) used a questionnaire to assess the frequency of each type of attraction and the frequency with which types of attraction are perceived to change. The most prevalent form of attraction was friendship attraction, and the least prevalent form was romantic attraction. The implications of these results for understanding both cross-sex friendships and the process of attraction are discussed.

A Critical Look at Gender Difference in Communication Research

Heidi Reeder — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:23:07 PDT

In this essay, the assumptions, ideologies, and methodologies that provide the foundation for much of the research conducted on gender differences in interpersonal communication are critically analyzed. (Sociological) gender is often studied as (biological) sex, a pattern that perpetuates misinformation about the meaning of male‐female differences. In addition, the results of many of these studies are generalized, leaving crucial within‐group differences relatively ignored. Researchers also often study gender as a predictor variable, paying less attention to how communication creates gender. Finally, results of gender‐difference studies do not tend to be analyzed or presented critically. Suggestions are offered for undergoing more reflexive reports of gender difference in interpersonal communication.

"I Like You... as a Friend": The Role of Attraction in Cross-Sex Friendship

Heidi Reeder — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:23:04 PDT

This study investigated attraction in heterosexual cross-sex friendships. Study I used in-depth interviews with 20 dyads (40 participants) to uncover four types of attraction that occur in cross-sex friendships -- subjective physical/sexual attraction, objective physical/sexual attraction, romantic attraction, and friendship attraction. These types of attraction are subject to being symmetrical or asymmetrical, and may incur changes over time. Study II (N=231) used a questionnaire to assess the frequency of each type of attraction and the frequency which types of attractions are perceived to change. The most prevalent form was romantic attraction. The implications of these results for understanding both cross-sex friendships and the process of attraction are discussed.

A Critical Look at Gender Difference in Communication Research

Heidi Reeder — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:23:01 PDT

Behaviors that Determine the Fate of Friendships After Unrequited Romantic Disclosures

M. T. Motley et al. — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:22:59 PDT

The Effect of Gender Role Orientation on Same- and Cross-Sex Friendship Formation

Heidi M. Reeder — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:22:56 PDT

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of gender role orientation on factors related to same- and cross-sex friendship formation. Participants (N = 278) completed a version of the Bem Sex Role Inventory. Each participant listed their closest friends, the sex of each friend, and the closeness level of each relationship. They also indicated whether they prefer same- or cross-sex friendship. The results suggest that gender role orientation affects inclination for cross-sex friendship, particularly the relative frequency of cross-sex friendship. Feminine men had a significantly higher proportion of cross-sex friendships than did masculine men, and masculine women had a significantly higher proportion of cross-sex friendships than did feminine women. A significant number of participants indicated that they did not prefer one sex or the other for friendship. Gender role orientation had no impact on levels of closeness in either same- or cross-sex friendship.

Exploring Male-Female Communication: Three Lessons on Gender

Heidi M. Reeder — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:22:53 PDT

Reeder provides strategies for engaging youth in a discussion of gender differences in communication that can help students develop healthy and effective relational communication skills. This technique describes three gender lessons to help create a balanced discussion of male-female differences. These lessons are derived from communication research and provide a framework for accurate dialogue about gender-based communication.

'I Like You...as a Friend' : Attraction in Cross-Sex Friendship

Heidi Reeder — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:22:50 PDT

Conditions that Determine the Fate of Friendships After Unrequited Romantic Disclosures

Michael T. Motley et al. — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:22:47 PDT