Bystander Confrontation Improves and Bystander Silence Worsens the Negative Impact of Subtle Sexism on Women In STEM

Across three experiments, we examined how men bystanders’ behavior impacts women targets’ experience of subtle sexism. Consistent with predictions, women’s belonging, self-esteem, and identity safety improved when at least one bystander confronted the sexism, but worsened when multiple bystanders all remained silent, compared to when no bystanders were present.