Why are women socially excluded in fields dominated by men? Beyond the barriers associated with any minority group’s mere numerical underrepresentation, we theorized that gender stereotypes exacerbate the social exclusion of women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) workplaces, with career consequences. Although widely discussed, clear evidence of these relationships remains elusive. In a sample of 1,247 STEM professionals who work in teams, we tested preregistered hypotheses that acts of gendered social exclusion are systematically associated with both men’s gender stereotypes (Part 1) and negative workplace outcomes for women (Part 2). Combining social network metrics of inclusion and reaction time measures of implicit stereotypes (the tendency to “think STEM, think men”), this study provides unique empirical evidence of the chilly climate women often report experiencing in STEM. Men with stronger implicit gender stereotypes had fewer social ties to female teammates. In turn, women (but not men) with fewer incoming cross-gender social ties reported worse career fit and engagement. Moderated mediation revealed that for women (but not men), cross-gender social exclusion was linked to more negative workplace outcomes via lower social fit. Effects of social exclusion were distinct from respect. We discuss the possible benefits of fostering positive cross-gender social relationships to promote women’s professional success in STEM.

为什么女性在男性主导的领域被社会排斥？除了与任何少数群体的人数不足相关的障碍之外，我们推测性别刻板印象加剧了女性在科学、技术、工程和数学 (STEM) 工作场所的社会排斥，从而对职业产生影响。尽管被广泛讨论，但这些关系的明确证据仍然难以捉摸。在一个包含 1,247 名团队工作的 STEM 专业人士的样本中，我们测试了预先注册的假设，即性别社会排斥行为与男性的性别刻板印象（第 1 部分）和女性的负面工作场所结果（第 2 部分）系统相关。结合社交网络的包容性指标和隐性刻板印象的反应时间指标（“思考 STEM，思考男人”的趋势），这项研究为女性经常报告在 STEM 中经历的寒冷气候提供了独特的经验证据。具有较强隐性性别刻板印象的男性与女性队友的社会联系较少。反过来，具有较少跨性别社会关系的女性（但不是男性）报告的职业匹配度和参与度较差。适度的调解显示，对于女性（但不是男性），跨性别社会排斥通过较低的社会契合度与更负面的工作场所结果相关联。社会排斥的影响不同于尊重。我们讨论了培养积极的跨性别社会关系以促进女性在 STEM 领域取得专业成功的可能好处。跨性别社会联系较少的女性（但不是男性）报告的职业匹配度和参与度较差。适度的调解显示，对于女性（但不是男性），跨性别社会排斥通过较低的社会契合度与更负面的工作场所结果相关联。社会排斥的影响不同于尊重。我们讨论了培养积极的跨性别社会关系以促进女性在 STEM 领域取得专业成功的可能好处。跨性别社会联系较少的女性（但不是男性）报告的职业匹配度和参与度较差。适度的调解显示，对于女性（但不是男性），跨性别社会排斥通过较低的社会契合度与更负面的工作场所结果相关联。社会排斥的影响不同于尊重。我们讨论了培养积极的跨性别社会关系以促进女性在 STEM 领域取得专业成功的可能好处。