Introducing dynamic equity gaps: a theoretical framework and an empirical illustration in STEM

Pfeuffer J, Stoeger H, Vialle W, Ziegler A (2025)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

Social Psychology of Education Kluwer Academic Publishers

Book Volume: 28

Article Number: 172

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.1007/s11218-025-10131-8

Abstract

Equity gaps in education are typically associated with the disadvantage of a historically underserved group. They are usually labeled according to these groups (group labels) and/or the opportunities or outcomes (focal labels) in which they differ. However, this labeling practice favors a static understanding of equity gaps. As an alternative, we introduce the notion of dynamic equity gaps. Dynamic equity gaps are based on a labeling practice in which a non-static relation between group and focal variables is reflected in the label. We propose a four-step procedure to identify and examine dynamic equity gaps and provide an illustrative example using data from 328 secondary school students. Step (1): Focus on the equity gap; students with parents in STEM occupations tend to have a better average grade in STEM subjects. Step (2): Retrodictive focus; the more students identify with the STEM field, the higher their STEM grades tend to be. Step (3): Prospective focus: Students with parents in STEM occupations tend to identify stronger with STEM. Step (4): Holistic focus; the positive effect of being a pupil whose parents work in STEM is partially explained via higher identification with STEM.

Authors with CRIS profile

Johanna Pfeuffer Lehrstuhl für Pädagogische Psychologie und Exzellenzforschung Albert Ziegler Lehrstuhl für Pädagogische Psychologie und Exzellenzforschung

Involved external institutions

Universität Regensburg

Germany (DE) University of Wollongong (UOW)

Australia (AU)

How to cite

APA:

Pfeuffer, J., Stoeger, H., Vialle, W., & Ziegler, A. (2025). Introducing dynamic equity gaps: a theoretical framework and an empirical illustration in STEM. Social Psychology of Education, 28(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11218-025-10131-8

MLA:

Pfeuffer, Johanna, et al. "Introducing dynamic equity gaps: a theoretical framework and an empirical illustration in STEM." Social Psychology of Education 28.1 (2025).

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