Can sharing the "mental load" close the leadership gender gap? . The mental load is the thinking work required to achieve goals for others. At home (thinking for family), it is disproportionately sho

Description

Can sharing the "mental load" close the leadership gender gap? . The mental load is the thinking work required to achieve goals for others. At home (thinking for family), it is disproportionately shouldered by women. At work (thinking for colleagues), our data show the same pattern. In parallel, women are underrepresented in leadership positions, with little sign of closing this gap. We connect these problems, suggesting the mental load stunts the emergence of female leaders, especially if they take on high load at home and work, or if the load is unfairly shared with their male partner/colleagues. We test predictions in field studies (eg leader development programs). Results will inform policies aimed at ensuring gender equity in the mental load with implications for closing the leadership gender gap. . Scheme: Discovery Projects. Field: 5201 - Applied and Developmental Psychology. Lead: Prof Gillian Yeo