Are Machines Gender Neutral? Gender‐Stereotypic Responses to Computers With Voices

TLDR

The study examined whether computers with minimal gender cues elicit gender‑based stereotypes. Forty participants interacted with voice‑output computers that had no gender cues except vocal ones, with no deception about the voice source. All three tested stereotypes emerged, demonstrating that gender stereotyping powerfully extends to machines.

Abstract

This study tested whether computers embedded with the most minimal gender cues will evoke gender‐based stereotypic responses. Using an experimental paradigm (N = 40) that involved computers with voice output, the study tested 3 gender‐based stereotypes under conditions in which all suggestions of gender were removed, with the sole exception of vocal cues. In all 3 cases, gender‐stereotypic responses were obtained. Because the experimental manipulation involved no deception regarding the source of the voices. this study presents evidence that the tendency to gender stereotype is extremely powerful, extending even to stereotyping of machines.