1 Psychology 320: Psychology of Gender and Sex Differences October 8 Lecture 9

2 Opportunity! STEM Talks to Honour Women in Science. When: October 13 (Ada Lovelace Day), 6:15-10:00PM. Where: TELUS World of Science. Information: talks-to-honour-women-in-science/.

3 Announcement TA office spaces and office hours have been confirmed by the Psychology Department: Deneige, TA for students A-K, Tuesdays, 9:50-10:50AM, Audain Art Centre, Room 4038A. Beth, TA for students L-Z, Thursdays, 9:50-10:50AM, Audain Art Centre, Room 4038A.

4 Office Hour Invitations October 8, 2:30-4:30PM, Kenny

A little R&R …. (Review and Reflect) 5

6 Clarification (c) greater perceived essentialism (Feinman, 1981; Mahalingan, 2003) associated with “maleness” than “femaleness” in North America. October 6 lecture slides, slide 15:

7 History of Research and Gender Stereotypes 2. What are gender stereotypes? 3. What features characterize gender stereotypes? 1.What theories and research characterize the history of gender psychology? (continued) 4. Are there subtypes of gender stereotypes? 5. What are the consequences of gender stereotypes?

8 By the end of today’s class, you should be able to: 1. describe major shifts in theory and research on sex and gender between 1982 and present day. 2. describe contemporary measures of gender-role strain. 3. discuss the relationship between gender-role strain and psychological adjustment among females. 4. define the term gender stereotype.

9 5. discuss the functions of gender stereotypes and stereotype subtypes. 6. summarize the results of research on the character- istics of gender stereotypes. 7. list the stereotype subtypes for females and males. 8. define the term sexism. 9. distinguish between distinct forms of sexism. 10. identify measures of distinct forms of sexism.

10 What theories and research characterize the history of gender psychology? (continued) F – Present: Gender as a Social Category (continued)

11 Straight Edge

12  Similar research (Gillespie & Eisler, 1992) has identified several sources of gender-role strain among females: Fear of: unemotional relationships, physical unattractiveness, victimization, behaving assertively, not being nurturant.

13  Measures of gender-role strain among females include the Feminine Gender Role Stress Scale (FGRSS; Gillespie & Eisler, 1992).

14 Sample Items from the FGRSS Being considered promiscuous. Being pressured for sex when seeking affection from your mate. Being perceived by others as overweight. Being unable to change your appearance to please someone. Hearing a strange noise while you are home alone. Feeling that you are being followed by someone. Trying to be a good parent and excel at work. Supervising older and more experienced employees at work. Returning to work soon after your child is born. A very close friend stops speaking to you. Items reflect fear of: unemotional relationships; physical unattractiveness; victimization; behaving assertively; not being nurturant.

15 Daily HasslesDepression FGRSS.43*.31* Correlations Among FGRSS Scores, Daily Hassles, and Depression (Gillespie & Eisler, 1992; Helgeson, 2013) *p<.01

16 What are gender stereotypes? This individual is an accomplished 20 th century political figure who, prior to entering politics, worked as a research chemist and as a tax attorney. This internationally recognized public figure was known to be a loving and involved parent, and had gained a reputation for always being well coifed and tastefully dressed.

17 Gender stereotypes: Cognitive schemas that reflect beliefs about the shared characteristics of females and the shared characteristics of males. May be positive, negative, or neutral. Gender stereotypes are automatically activated, influencing perceptions of others and interpretations of others’ behaviours. Examples: Condry and Condry (1976); Moss-Racusin et al. (2012).

18 Williams and Best (1990, 1999; also see Diekman & Eagly, 2000; Prentice & Carranza, 2002) examined stereotypes across 30 countries:  Recruited participants from diverse countries (e.g., Austria, Bolivia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Peru, New Zealand, Nigeria, the Unites States). What features characterize gender stereotypes?

19  Presented participants with 300 attributes and asked them to indicate which were more characteristic of women and which were more characteristic of men.

20  Defined a stereotypical characteristic as one for which: 1. two-thirds of participants within a country agreed that the characteristic described one sex/gender more than the other (consensus within country). 2. three-quarters of the countries surveyed agreed that the characteristic described one sex/gender more than the other (consensus across countries).

21 Characteristics Consensually Associated with Women CharmingFearfulWeak SensitiveGentleCurious EmotionalMildSexy ShyPleasantTalkative AnxiousSubmissiveAffectionate AttractiveDependentAffected MeekKindSofthearted SentimentalSuperstitiousDreamy

22 Characteristics Consensually Associated with Men DominantSelf-confidentBoastful AdventurousAssertiveUnkind StrongEnergeticOpportunistic AggressiveCoarseLogical ForcefulClear-thinkingInventive IndependentActiveRobust UnemotionalSternProgressive WiseCourageousDaring AmbitiousRationalHardhearted DeterminedDisorderlyRealistic

23  These lists of characteristics were examined in an effort to identify their underlying dimensions. Three dimensions were identified: 3. Positivity: In general, men were viewed more positively than women. 2. Activity: In general, men were viewed as being more active than women. 1. Strength: In general, men were viewed as being stronger than women.

24 Are there subtypes of gender stereotypes? Researchers (e.g., DeWall et al., 2005; Edwards, 1992; Six & Eckes, 1991) have identified stereotype subtypes for females and males. Stereotype subtypes allow individuals to categorize “unusual” cases as exceptions. Six and Eckes (1991; also see Becker, 2010) identified 3 female and 5 male subtypes:

25 ◦ The traditional subtype*: Maternal, devout, conforming, naïve, dependent. ◦ The progressive subtype: Intellectual, independent ambitious, confident, liberated. ◦ The sex bomb subtype: Attractive, seductive, flirtatious. Female subtypes:

26 Male subtypes: ◦ The playboy subtype: Cool, casual, macho, “lady killers.” ◦ The career-oriented subtype*: Intellectual, ambitious, confident, “social climbers.” ◦ The sensitive subtype: Quiet, philanthropic, “softies.” ◦ The bureaucratic subtype: Conservative, conventional, ordinary, common, “boring.” ◦ The egotist subtype: Egotistical, selfish, conceited.

27 What are the consequences of gender stereotypes? Refers to the positive/negative attitudes and affective reactions that people have toward others because of their sex. Forms of sexism toward women: Traditional sexism (TS), modern sexism (MS), hostile sexism toward women (HS), benevolent sexism toward women (BS). 1. Sexism

28 TS and MS are assessed by the Modern Sexism Scale (MSS; Swim et al., 1995).

29 Traditional Sexism: Women are generally not as smart as men. I would be equally comfortable having a woman as a boss as a man.* It is more important to encourage boys than to encourage girls to participate in athletic activities. Women are just as capable of thinking logically as men.* When both parents are employed and their child gets sick at school, the school should call the mother rather than the father. Items from the MSS (Swim et al., 1995) Modern Sexism: A. Antagonism Toward Women’s Demands It is easy to understand the anger of women’s groups in America.* It is easy to understand why women’s groups are still concerned about societal limitations of women’s opportunities.* *Disagreement indicates sexism.

30 Modern Sexism, continued: B. Denial of Continuing Discrimination Discrimination against women is no longer a problem in the United States. Women often miss out on good jobs due to sexual discrimination.* It is rare to see women treated in a sexist manner on television. On average, people in our society treat husbands and wives equally. Society has reached a point where women and men have equal opportunities for achievement. C. Resentment About Special Favors for Women Over the past few years, the government and news media have been showing more concern about the treatment of women than is warranted by women’s actual experiences. *Disagreement indicates sexism. Note: r between TS and MS=.54.

31 By the end of today’s class, you should be able to: 1. describe major shifts in theory and research on sex and gender between 1982 and present day. 2. describe contemporary measures of gender-role strain. 3. discuss the relationship between gender-role strain and psychological adjustment among females. 4. define the term gender stereotype.

32 5. discuss the functions of gender stereotypes and stereotype subtypes. 6. summarize the results of research on the character- istics of gender stereotypes. 7. list the stereotype subtypes for females and males. 8. define the term sexism. 9. distinguish between distinct forms of sexism. 10. identify measures of distinct forms of sexism.