The number of women in STEM fields, especially in computer science, is still very low. Therefore, in this chapter, the computer-related self-concept (CSC) is presented as a new approach to investigate gender differences in computing careers. The computer-related self-concept comprises computer-related attitudes, emotions, and behaviors, integrating different lines of research on computer-related self-cognitions. To establish connections with career development, an extensive online survey was conducted with more than 1100 male and female computing professionals. Results show that men have a significantly more positive computer-related self-concept than women. Furthermore, as hypothesized, the computer-related self-concept shows high correlations with career motivation. Therefore, it is concluded that the computer-related self-concept is a feasible approach to investigate and understand computer-related gender differences. Possible implications regarding measures to foster women's careers in computing are discussed along with prospects for future research.

This paper presents the computer-related self-concept as a new theoretical approach to analyzing and understanding computer-related attitudes, emotions, and behaviors. The approach integrates different lines of research on computer-related self-cognitions. The authors developed and validated a questionnaire to measure the computer-related self-concept and conducted a large online survey with more than 1100 male and female computing professionals. Results show that men have a significantly more positive computer-related self-concept than women. Furthermore, the computer-related self-concept shows high correlations with career motivation. Thus, the concept might serve to further analyze computer-related gender differences and eventually to devise supportive measures in order to foster women’s careers in computing. Further prospects for using the computer-related self-concept in research on human-computer interaction are also explored.

Dieser Beitrag stellt das computerbezogene Selbstkonzept (CSK) als neuen Ansatz vor, um computerbezogene Einstellungen und Verhaltensweisen zu analysieren und dabei unterschiedliche Forschungsstränge zu computerbezogenen Kognitionen zu integrieren. Dabei wurde insbesondere der Frage nachgegangen, inwiefern sich Männer und Frauen in ihrem computerbezogenen Selbstkonzept unterscheiden. Hierzu wurde ein entsprechender Fragebogen entwickelt und validiert. Die Ergebnisse einer umfangreichen empirischen Befragung mit mehr als 1100 Informatiker/innen zeigen, dass selbst bei Computerfachkräften die Männer über ein deutlich positiveres computerbezogenes Selbstkonzept verfügen als die Frauen. Zudem konnten Zusammenhänge zwischen dem CSK und der intrinsischen Karrieremotivation aufgezeigt werden.