Evaluating gender biases on actual job performance of real people: A meta-analysis

This study examined gender bias on job performance in work settings where c onfounding variables (e.g., organizational level, experience, education) we re cautiously taken into consideration to ensure fair comparisons. Although previous meta-analyses examined gender biases on evaluations, findings in tightly controlled laboratory environments may differ from those in highly complicated field studies. We found little evidence of overall gender bias in performance appraisals in nonconfounded field studies. However, there we re significant pro-male biases when only men served as raters. Measure-spec ific gender stereotypicality, instead of general stereotypicality about the job, produced gender bias in performance appraisal. Masculine measures pro duced pro-male bias, and feminine measures produced pro-female bias.